Pint-sized fan needs help

He’s all of six years old, normal as any kid could be. He bounces around with a basketball with boundless energy, a testament to his will to survive. But there are the tell-tale signs that his body is being ravaged by a disease which shows no mercy. His skin is rough from bouts with skin asthma. He has scars all over from various symptoms of his illness. And his eyes bleed.

His name is Vincent Ian Fidelis. And he needs our help.

"The form of cancer Vincent has really has no cure. He has to undergo a bone marrow transplant," reveals Kirk Collier, trainer of the Batang Red Bull Thunder, who has personally taken responsibility for trying to save this young boy’s life. "He survives on treatments every six weeks, but they cost P22,000 per treatment, and his parents aren’t working right now. But since he got so weak, his dosage will be increased, so it will cost about P40,000 every six weeks."

Vincent has Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS), a genetic disorder that renders him helpless to fight infections. To hear the medical abstract alone is frightening enough.

"Since infancy, he had been in and out of the hospital for severe infections such as multiple scalp abscesses, severe bronchopneumonia, septicemia, gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis, pyoderma requiring parenteral antibiotics," coldly states the report of hematologist Dr. Ma. Victoria Carlos.

Children with his disease are not expected to live beyond 5-7 years. But Vince is already six, though a younger sibling has already died of WAS. The sands in his small hourglass are rapidly draining away.

All Vince wanted was to have a birthday party at Jollibee. Thanks to a referral from The Star, he was able to get his wish from the Make A Wish Foundation. Vince Hizon and his girlfriend, sportscasters Shaan Bermudez were able to recruit The Batang Red Bull Thunder team to initially provide assistance. But Vince will need a bone marrow transplant costing almost P 4 million to have a decent chance to live.

"Yung immune system niya yung sira, wala siyang panlaban sa infection. Hindi siya nakakahawa; siya ang madaling mahawaan," says a teary-eyed Mylene, Vince’s mother. "Yung mahirap kalaban yung bleeding niya, pag hindi mo nakontrol, dire-diretso yun, kailangan namin mag-transfuse ng platelets para makontrol ang bleeding."

This young lad’s predicament has pricked the hearts of a growing number of PBA personalities. Collier has also gotten promises from entertainment celebrities like Carlos Agassi and Lana Asanin to help try and raise the huge amount for Vince’s bone marrow operation.

"I think I’ve been blessed to be here in a beautiful country, to coach basketball, do something I really love, and I want to do whatever I can to help save his life," Collier says determinedly. "I’d hate to go before God’s judgment and answer why I didn’t do more to help."

For those who would like to help save Vince Fidelis through treatments or a bone marrow transplant, you may temporarily course your aid through The Basketball Show at 932-6824, or [email protected]. We will coordinate with the Fidelis family for you.