Baby with leukaemia needs help to get lifesaving treatment in USA

leukaemia
An official from the Department of Foreign Affairs takes a photograph of baby Sevy for his passport photo. (Photo courtesy of DFA assistant secretary Elmer Cato)

The parents of a baby born with a rare form of leukaemia are appealing for help to take him for life-saving treatment in the USA.

Maverick Sevrin “Sevy” Co, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, a type of blood cancer that causes white blood cells to build up in major body organs. 

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The baby has been on chemotherapy and blood transfusion since December 29, the day after he was born.

His parents hope he can be saved with pioneering treatment at the Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Tennessee.

According to Don Co, his father, “time is critical” for the infant as clinicians at the Tennessee hospital recommend that the infant should not receive further chemotherapy treatements.

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Yesterday (Monday, January 7), the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs sent its consular team at the Manila Doctors Hospital to speed up the processing of Sevy’s passport. The family have expressed their gratitude for the department’s prompt response to their call for help.

“Thank you for reaching out to us”, they posted on their “Saving SEVY” Facebook page. “Once we get our passport, the next major step is US Embassy in Manila. We are preparing all medical records/abstract, endorsement from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.”

The Co family is currently seeking information and guidance from several airlines about their baby’s flight from Manila to Memphis. Sevy is expected to travel with a drip line and on blood transfusion after his passport has been released, and his US visa processed.

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While still in the Philippines, the family remains in constant need of an O+ blood donor. The infant needs a bag of blood every eight hours.

Anybody wishing to offer assistance should call 09988 642500. 

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