Do you want to make a difference? Any contribution for my three aunts in the Philippines to pay their medical bills can contribute to save lives.  


To us, family means putting our arms around each other and being there.

Now, I realize that life gets harder and I am challenging myself to be stronger. I’m Airylle Grace Japitana, an aupair currently living in Oslo, standing strong for my family. My monthly allowance is enough for me to cover my cost of living in Norway, and I am sending the rest to my mom and my siblings, who need it for food and education.


My family is currently living in a small town in the southern tip of the Philippines, Sangat, Mlang North Cotabato. Our house is about a century old, and behind it’s four corners is a story of agony that I am about to let out. My three aunts Vicky, Rufina and Angelica are sisters who are currently suffering from disparate illnesses.

Vicky (44) is the youngest among my aunts and she was only 34 years old when she in 2010 was diagnosed with breast cancer stage 3C. Vicky, who is single, went through different medical treatments like eight sessions of chemotherapy and 36 cycles of radiation therapy,including tamoxifin as maintenance. She’s little by little coping with her illness and has seen positive progress after these medical treatments. Yet, three years ago her carcinoma became active again and it reached her right lung. Nodes and fluids were seen in the ultrasound and x-ray. She underwent another six sessions of chemotherapy. Year later, she got a Pigtail to take some fluids in her lungs and after a month, she had difficulties breathing because fluids and nodes are seen again. Now she is on her oral chemotherapy treatment for eight cycles.

 

My second aunt is Rufina (56), an overseas filipino worker for 13 years. She suffered from an acute right PICA Infarct in March 2019 during her work as a tailor in Brunei Darussalam. Due to this medical emergency her body deteriorated, and my aunt Rufina was advised to undergo decompressive surgery. She had further complications and was in Comatose for five days. After three months of intense medical care, our family decided to bring her back home in the Philippines. She’s home now for a year but still not in good shape. Aunt Rufina is still on Tracheostomy and her hypertension and diabetes needs to be followed up time to time.

 
The last one is aunt Angelica, Ica (54). She is married, but her husband doesn't have a permanent job. It started in 2016 when she accidentally hit her right toenails on the edge of a plastic chair. She was unaware that she is diabetec, so her toes got swollen. A serious infection spread to her right foot, leaving her no other choice than to amputate her right foot to stop the spreading of virus to the upper part of her body. She is now half paralyzed, her vision is getting blurry, and she is having some hearing problems.


For now, my oldest aunt and their sister Nenita from Australia supports them financially. Her allowance is enough for their food and monthly bills, but not enough for medical treatment and other daily expenses. Their sister Laila is there physically to assist with their everyday needs.


Any small amount collected will be a big help to pay their Hospital Bills and Medical Treatments needed. Helping them by adding into your prayers also means a lot for us. My dream is that this coming Christmas it will give them Hope, Peace, Love and Joy.

 

Thank you so much for taking your time to read. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.