| A few good men turn to Good Samaritans |
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| Written by Kabalikat 6104 |
| Thursday, 11 December 2008 22:05 |
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A few good men turn to Good Samaritans By James Mananghaya Wednesday, October 29, 2008 A story in The STAR and a father’s love for his daughter were all it took for Molly Sampang, a kidney patient of Operation Damayan, to be given a new lease on life. Yesterday, US Marines, led by Lt. Col. Michael Ketner, chief of the Fixed Wing Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223, handed over a check worth P220,000 to the 25-year old former factory worker for her kidney transplant at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City. The amount, according to Ketner, was raised by his troops, who felt equally touched by Molly’s story, which was written by Dr. Willie Ong and was published in the Oct. 19 issue of The STAR. On that day, Ketner was about to go jogging at Clark Field in Pampanga when he read about Molly’s condition and was moved by it he wasted no time finding a way to help Molly’s poor family. “While I was doing my run, I was thinking to myself I am also a father of two and I wonder what would I do if I were in her father’s shoes,” he said. Ketner said he immediately called his subordinates, Staff Sgt. Colleen Rupert and Sgt. Miriam Mancha, to inform their comrades about Molly and to ask them if they could pitch in a little of their spares. “In 24 hours we raised P220,000, more than enough for the transplant; some gave a little, some gave a lot. God is really working in mysterious ways here,” he said. The VMA 223 was with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit during the recently concluded Philippine Bilateral Exercise 2008. Surprisingly, the money raised by the 125 US marines in that unit for Molly’s operation is not part of the regular humanitarian assistance of the joint exercise, but a classic example of good Samaritans in present times. “It’s not part of the humanitarian aspect of Phiblex but as an individual contribution, after having been touched by her story, and we really should thank the Philippine STAR for running her story. Somehow, the exercises helped because had it not been for that, we won’t be here to know about her,” Ketner said. Sampang said that after being informed last Friday that the US marines have shelled out some money for her operation, she is now looking forward to recovery and being able to go back to work to help her family. “I am very happy. I am thankful to the Philippine STAR because if not for them, the public would not know about my condition. Thank you also to the US marines who did not hesitate to help me. Now I will be able to do the things I used to do before,” Molly said in Filipino, citing that her present condition has prevented her from working. “I really want to help my family,” she added. Molly said that aside from the US marines, a lot of people have also started calling her to pledge their assistance. “I also would like to express my gratitude to the others who called and helped me. This really means a lot to me and my family,” she said. The other donors include Adel and Glory Tobias and family, Dr. Rosario Gutierrez, GL Net Solutions and several anonymous doctors. Molly’s brother Gelmar would provide the kidney to his sister. Her father Federico could not hold back his tears as he recounted how he almost lost hope that his daughter would get a transplant, considering that his income as typewriter repairman is not enough. “When Dr. Willie Ong told me that the Philippine STAR has chosen to help Molly, I really cried and told myself that this may be the Lord’s answer to my prayers. I also would like to thank Lt. Col. Ketner for helping us,” he said. Molly’s physician, Dr. Romina Danguilan, said that although Molly has to take medications for the rest of her life, the survival rate of kidney patients who underwent transplant is high compared to those who just go for regular dialysis. After the donation, Molly’s doctors would now schedule her transplant operation. http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20081028199 |