LFP and RCP Program Saves a Life
It was a sunny afternoon on October 3rd in rice paddy in the shadows of the Chocolate Hills of Bohol when a young man who was working there suddenly fell into the water. His co-workers rushed to his side and soon realized that he was unconscious.
They called for an ambulance and he was rushed to the hospital. Fortunately a new group of Neurosurgeons had just set up an office in Tagbilaran City, headed by Dr. Isagoni Delos Santos, a protégé of Rotarian Doctor Wyben Briones, a Neurosurgeon from Cebu. A CT scan was ordered, revealing a life threatening blood clot that was killing the young man.
The patient, John Rey Dordas , age 17 is the oldest child of Armando and Alona Dordas, who live on a small share cropper farm, with his siblings Carlo age 16, Joyce13, Jane 8 Armando Jr.7 and Joseph 6. Armando in a effort to earn enough money to feed his family, found a job in Manila as a night guard. John Ray was left in charge of the farm.
On October 6th, Doctor Delos Santos had to remove a portion of John Rays’ skull to operate on the massive blood clot. Upon closing, Dr. Delos Santos discovered that the aquaducts that drain the brain had become plugged and now Hydrocephalus threatened John Rey’s life. He remained comatose.
The family already exhausted their meager savings on the first operation and now were desperately looking for help to save the life of their oldest son. Providentially, on October 4th, a meeting of District 3860 Presidents was held at Casino Espanol hosted by Rotary Club of Cebu North. During the meeting, Rotary Club of Paranaque (RCP) President Jose “Lito” Ramos announced the launching of Free Cranial Shunts for Hydrocephalus patients in the southern part of the Philippines. The meeting was attended by the RC Paranaque delegates PDG Gov. Herman T. Gamboa, PP Fidel Yuboco, PE Dan San Pedro, and Director Mark Mamauag.
The meeting was also attended by the Village Aide Program, Build Team lead by PDG Bill Little, of Sydney and the Village Aide Program, Medical Mission Team lead by Australian Chairman Derek Pyrah and Philippine Chairman David Collins. In the meeting, President Lito Ramos explained that under the project (to be launched jointly with RC Cebu North) RCP and its partner in service LILIANE FOUNDATION PHILIPPINES will provide the costly and hi-tech medical appliance called Peritoneal Shunts that allows the brain fluid to drain from the brain and into the abdominal area. Participating clubs are expected to look for indigent patients, administer the program, and contribute medical services or minimal amounts to help defray the cost of the operation.
Mr. and Mrs. Dordas’, son was still comatose when the hydrocephalus was discovered, and unless a second operation to attach the Peritoneal Shunt was performed, he would die. A friend, suggested that they contact the Village Aide Program (VAP) located in Tagbilaran City. VAP is a Rotary Australia World Community Service program (RAWCS) which has sponsored programs in D3860 for the past 8 years, that benefit the poor.
Thanks to Rotary Club of Paranaque and LILIANE FOUNDATION PHILIPPINES, Rotary Club of Cebu North and the Village Aide Program, a free shunt and P50,000 was provided to the Dordas family to defray the cost of the shunt operation. Neurosurgeon Dr. Isagani Delos Santos volunteered his services, free of charge, to install the shunt. The surgery was performed in Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
Twenty four hours after the operation John Ray came out of his coma, and has continued to make steady progress. He can now carry on a conversation and eat soft food. He is scheduled to go home on November 12th.
Rotary Clubs from District 3860, who wish to participate in this program should contact members of RC Cebu North.
To be the answer to a family’s prayer is the ultimate privilege.
Thank you Rotary Club of Paranaque and LILIANE FOUNDATION PHILIPPINES for your nationwide initiative.
Thank you Doctor Isagani Delos Santos and the surgical team of Gallares for saving the Life of John Rey.
Thank you Australian Rotarians who financed the operation.
Thank you all who made this shunt program possible.
This is Rotary’s and Liliane Foundation Philippines’ Finest Hour.
NOTE: As of July 1, 2009, John Rey Dordas is already doing light chores on their farm. He is expected to tend their farm again before the end of 2009.