Girl with leukemia gives family hope

MANILA, Philippines – Being sick is difficult, and more so when you are 3 years old and struggling to understand what is happening to you. 

Thankfully for Caitlin Lucas, or Caitie, she had her family and a group of well-wishers who kept up with developments and offered support in any way they could — and it is all thanks to the Courageous Caitie Facebook page.

The page, which the family manages, contains information for anyone who wanted to stay up-to-date with Caitlin’s condition and treatments as well as information on how they can help. 

Aside from depositing donations to any of the bank or online fundraising accounts, anyone interested can join events.

One of Courageous Caitie’s ongoing efforts is an auction. Artists have donated paintings, consolidated in an album on the page, and buyers can comment their bids per painting until 11:59 pm PHT daily.

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They have another ongoing fundraiser called “Dine for a Cause” where Fat Daddy’s, a partner restaurant in Marikina, will donate 5% of sales to Caitie’s medical treatment until April 10.

All or part of the proceeds of their events go to Caitie’s treatment for juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), a rare cancer of the blood affecting infants and toddlers.

So far, the family said they have spent “5 million (pesos) since Manila for diagnosis alone in just two and a half months,” and expect to spend around “10 million (pesos) for bone marrow transplant, spleenectomy, cell therapy, hospitalization, rental, daily expense, and other miscellaneous requirements for over 3 months.” 

This does not count the upkeep on their lives in the Philippines. Both Feliz and Jayjay, Caitie’s parents, have to stay in Singapore to monitor Caitie’s condition and treatments. They have had to leave behind their work, house rental payments, and, unfortunately, Caitie’s little brother Ethan. 

They said: “We terribly miss him. Ever since Caitie’s symptoms came about last September we haven’t been able to spend much time with Ethan.”

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Courageous Caitie – the page and their daughter – gives Feliz and Jayjay hope, which they want to share with others, too. 

“It’s so easy to turn our back on (Jesus) because of this, but we choose otherwise and want to encourage anyone who is going through heartache or sickness or disease the same way,” they said.

Keeping morale up 

The page, however, is not just about raising money for Caitie’s treatment. It also offers a glimpse into Caitie, the Lucas family, and how they are dealing with hard times.

The picture emerging from the posts is a family’s unwavering hope to end Caitie’s difficulty. 

Caitie’s physical struggle and the costs of her stay in the hospital have taken their toll. Asked what has been their toughest challenge, they said, “When nothing is in our control and we go by what each day brings.” 

“We can’t tell and do anything for Caitie; this is her battle and we are just here to support and encourage her,” they added.

To keep themselves in good spirits, the family finds fun activities for Caitie. The toddler, a Star Wars fan, was able to see the Philippine 501st Legion before leaving for Singapore. When there is a lull in the hospital, Caitie paints or plays with her parents.

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