A mother of two is courageously fighting cancer.

My name is Mei, and I’d like to share my sister Eden's journey with lymphoma:

Hello, I’m Eden Leila Vargas, a 42-year-old mother of two beautiful children—a 10-year-old daughter and a 7-year-old son. Currently, I find myself admitted at Medical City in the Philippines, facing an incredible challenge in my life.

In 2021, during a routine annual medical check-up at work, an incidental finding emerged on my chest X-ray. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, I couldn’t follow up as I had hoped. It wasn't until April of this year that I was able to get the necessary laboratory work-up and CT scan done. The results revealed fluid in my lungs, leading to my hospitalization in June. During this time, doctors performed a biopsy to rule out cancer, and two weeks later, I received devastating news—my greatest fear was confirmed: I have been diagnosed with lymphoma.

By the end of June 2023, I found myself back in the hospital for the second time, as my left lung was filled with fluid. Both my left and right lungs required pigtail drainages to help remove the excess fluid.

On July 31, 2023, I was admitted for a third time, battling low white blood cell and platelet counts. My blood pressure dropped dangerously low, and I needed a blood transfusion. For three days, I was in the ICU, and I am still in the hospital now as I fight pneumonia.

On top of everything, my treatment plan involves two chemotherapy cycles each month for six months. I've managed to complete two cycles before this third hospital stay, but my journey is far from over. I have been diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma classic nodular sclerosis stage 3.

As I navigate this challenging path, I am reaching out for financial support. The burden of mounting medical bills weighs heavily on my family, and though I’m preparing for discharge, I remain in the hospital due to an inability to cover the costs. Currently, I am on unpaid leave from work, which adds to the strain.

My hope is to return to my hometown in Zamboanga to continue my chemotherapy treatment there. Any assistance you can provide during this difficult time would mean the world to us, and I am deeply grateful for your kindness and support. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.