December 4, 2024
Battling Leukemia with Strength and Support
By Tzu Chi Zamboanga
In Barangay Calarian, Zamboanga City, lives 22-year-old Jessa Loraine Oporto, a young woman known for her cheerful smile and lively spirit. She is the second of four siblings in a simple family that runs a small eatery near a school. Her father works as a fisherman to support their needs.
Jessa graduated from Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University with a degree in Hospitality Management. Before her illness, she joined beauty pageants, using her winnings to help her parents with daily expenses.
But things changed in November 2024, a few months after her graduation. Jessa noticed bruises on her body, which she thought were normal at first. Then, she started feeling tired, had trouble breathing, and experienced pain in her bones. A lump also appeared on her back, which worried her family. They decided to take her to Zamboanga City Medical Center, where she was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML).
The news was devastating. Jessa’s condition made it hard for her to move around, and her mother struggled to bring her to the hospital for check-ups. Without a wheelchair, it was even more difficult, especially in a busy public hospital. The family was already spending so much on her medications that they couldn’t afford to buy one.
Thankfully, they sought help from the Tzu Chi Foundation – Zamboanga Liaison Office. After learning about Jessa’s situation, Tzu Chi provided her with a wheelchair. This brought great relief to Jessa and her family, making hospital visits more manageable and easing their burden.
Despite her illness, Jessa’s bright smile remains. She shared her gratitude, saying, "This wheelchair means so much to us as it makes it easier for us to go to the hospital. Thank you, Tzu Chi, for the great relief you have given me and my parents.
For Jessa, the wheelchair is more than just a tool, it is a symbol of hope and kindness. It gives her the strength to keep going as she battles CML. For her family, it is a reminder that help and compassion are always within reach. Thanks to the Tzu Chi Foundation, its dedicated volunteers, and kind donors, Jessa can now focus on her treatments and continue her fight with courage.
