Hello everyone,

My name is Melvin Lorenzo, and I sincerely thank you for taking the time to read about my Papa’s journey through cancer.

Papa is a 69-year-old hardworking Filipino, a man full of passion and determination. Recently, he was diagnosed with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) — a fast-growing form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that affects the white blood cells called B lymphocytes.

Papa’s health struggles began in December 2023, when he started experiencing a series of symptoms that led to numerous hospital visits for tests, treatments, and procedures. In September 2024, after months of uncertainty, he was diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis, a rare and serious condition that weakened his body and energy.

Just as he was beginning to cope with this diagnosis, new challenges arose. Papa developed lumps in his neck, which were later removed and sent for biopsy. While awaiting the results, he also battled pneumonia and the flu. Despite these setbacks, he remained hopeful. Then came the difficult news , the biopsy confirmed Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma. He was immediately referred for urgent chemotherapy and additional tests to monitor the spread of the cancer.

As with any major illness, the medical expenses have been overwhelming. Each chemotherapy cycle costs ₱67,000 (around £870 / $1,140), with a ₱55,000 (around £715 / $935) PET scan required after every two cycles — totaling roughly ₱700,000 (around £9,100 / $11,900) for the six cycles required. On top of this, his hospital bills have already reached ₱400,000 (around £5,200 / $6,800), bringing the total medical expenses to over ₱1.1 million (around £14,300 / $18,700).

We are doing everything we can to support Papa - pooling our resources, taking extra work where possible, and managing our own family obligations, but the financial burden has become far greater than we can handle. This is why we are humbly reaching out for help.

Papa has always been a pillar of strength and sacrifice. He worked tirelessly, often giving up his own comfort and family time to ensure that we, his children, could go to school and live decent lives. He has shown us what hard work and perseverance truly mean.

Now, it is our turn to fight for him, to give him the chance to enjoy the fruits of his labour, to witness his children’s successes, and to see his grandchildren with joy and pride. Above all, we pray that through this journey, Papa continues to find hope, courage, and strength in God, who is the ultimate healer and giver of life.

For those in the Philippines who wish to help, you may use GCash or bank transfer for your convenience by letting any of our family members know and they will share the details with you.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your compassion, prayers, and any help you can extend. Your kindness brings light and hope to our family during this difficult time.

With gratitude and faith,

Melvin Lorenzo & Family