Support for 16 year old cancer patient in Bolivia

Support for 16-year-old cancer patient

Next, two stories about young people battling illness. Gurdip Singh is a 22-year-old receiving dialysis at the Tzu Chi Center in Butterworth. Thanks to the treatment, he now has a steady job and can even help other people. Meanwhile, volunteers in Bolivia are caring for a 16-year-old boy called Marbery Marrera. Sixteen is an age of exuberance and hope, a time when young adults dream about a future that holds many promises and surprises. However, for Marbery, life seemed to have already reached an end when a tumor on his leg was diagnosed as malignant. The painful growth, that swelled to the size of a basketball, bled and festered, and to make matters worse, the doctor told him that he only had six more months to live. The Marrera family struggled with the situation, and when Tzu Chi volunteers discovered their story in the local news at the beginning of October, they immediately contacted them to give the struggling family much-needed support.

Left leg gone, and 6 more months to lives

Young Marbery leaves the hospital with a blank expression. He had just had his left leg amputated, and the loss was tremendous. At 16, he's already had a brush with death.

A few months ago, Marbery fell and injured his knee. Two painful growths formed, forcing the boy to leave his home and seek treatment in the distant Santa Cruz. The doctor arranged amputation and chemotherapy for him, and gravely pronounced that he only had six more months to live.

The humble wish to live on

Tzu Chi volunteers lead Marbery in a prayer, hoping to inspire in the boy some spiritual peace. The young patient still has many dreams, but given his current situation, nothing can be certain. His mother cannot hold her tears, breaking down time and again.

Cancer patient, Marbery :"I want to study. I don't want to go to the hospital all the time."

Tzu Chi supports Marrera family

It was early October when the volunteers saw Marbery's story on TV. They were quick to go to the hospital and have stayed at the family's side. It pains the caregivers to see Marbery's muscles slowly wasting away.

Marbery's father, Emilio Marrera :"You give us warmth, a kind of familial warmth that gives us a sense of security. "

Volunteers have continued to look after the family, even after Marbery was discharged from the hospital, even providing the family with an electric fan. Tzu Chi has promised the family its ceaseless care and support throughout this trying period, no matter how long it takes.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Tzu Chi
• Bolivia
• Cancer Patient