DUBAI: Filipino expat Dennis Mercado who was diagnosed with stage four gastric cancer in April this year hasn’t been able to undergo chemotherapy since July due to lack of funds.
The 39-year-old who has undergone four chemotherapy sessions has exhausted all his savings. The distressed man, who was working in the hospitality sector for the last 12 years with a monthly salary of Dh800, is now banking on UAE residents to continue his treatment.
“A single session of chemo costs about Dh6,000. And now, his insurance policy has expired. No insurance company wants to take the responsibility,” said Jocelyn, Mercado’s elder sister. “He was getting better but now we don’t know what is going to happen,” she said before breaking into tears. “I can’t even take him to the Philippines in this condition,” said Jocelyn, 42, who earns Dh4,000 a month as an office assistant in Media City. She said she is down to “zilch” after paying for her brother’s treatment. “I haven’t sent any money home in the last six months,” she added.
The desperate sister said she has knocked on every door to get help, but in vain. “I want to save my brother and I hope someone will help us,” said Jocelyn.
If you wish to help Dennis, write to editor@xpress4me.com
(Lifeline: This new fortnightly column will feature cases of people in distress across the UAE. The cases have been referred to XPRESS by the Dar Al Ber Society.)
