Who's James?

Gamaliel James Vallejo Auste. A staunch nationalist, a true-blooded Tazmanian devil, a passionate environmentalist, mountaineer and spelunker, a caring friend who is always there for you. His legendary trademarks are his cap, his water jug, and his medicine kit. He treats his medicine pills like friends and eats them like candy. James is an enigma. He is a veritable "synthetic man," having lost all his hormones in his battle with brain cancer. Despite this, with James around, there is never a dull moment. He maintains a positive and happy outlook. Funny, witty, and a born daredevil, he will surely drive your crazy. He is one-of-a-kind.

James is a true survivor. He is courage and faith personified. In his battle with the Big C, he remained steadfast in his belief that the Biggest C in his life: Christ, will prevail. Indeed, James can be best described by the lines of the poem, "What makes a man great?". It's his determination to reach and climb every mountain. It's his strength and courage to face the obstacles he confronts and pursue what few men dare. It's the inspiring way he touches people's lives. But most of all, it is his faith in God and his hope that "God will make a way!"

In September 1996, after almost a year of unexplainable aches and joint pains, numerous doctors visits, seemingly endless blood tests and x-rays, and just one month before his 19th birthday, he was told he had brain cancer . He had two very rare type of tumors in his brain, which was considered inoperable, since it was too deep in the brain and too complicated for our local doctors to handle. He needed to go to the USA for further diagnosis and treatment. At that point, he was faced with a choice. He could be angry and depressed, asking the Lord: Why? Why me? Why now ? After all, he have lived a good 19 years. He was at the peak of his college life ---- He was looking forward to graduation. He lived a clean life by anyone¹s standard: No alcohol, No cigarettes, No drugs, No softdrinks, even! GRABE! Why me ? Bakit ako pa ?

James has panhypopitularism -- a rare condition (developed because of the 2 tumors that were in his brain) where the body stops producing all siz major hormones necessry for survival and growth -- and thus has to take hormone replacement medicines all his life. His sight too, is not as keen as it used to be, and he suffers from a water-based diabetes that makes him pee up to 13 liters a day (the average is only three) if not for his medication.

Asked what he felt upon learning that he had brain cancer, he replies thus: "I didn't feel depressed. When the doctors came in to tell me the news, one was even crying, my kidney doctor. So I told her, 'Why are you crying? It's just a ball in the head (referring to the tumor), that's easy (to cure).'" Fact is, he even cracked a joke when told about his panhypopitularism and that he will have to take medicines until he dies, saying, "That's good. I have nothing more to worry about! I have lost everything, so there is nothing more to lose." When his mother asked the doctors about the long-term effects of the drugs, James quipped, "poverty," since the replacement hormones are not available in the Philippines and will have to be ordered from the US and thus, very expensive.

Needless to say, the doctors looked at him as if he were crazy -- cracking jokes and making smart remarks -- when what they most probably expected was an entirely different reaction. Such an attitude, which baffles most everyone who meets the young man for the first time, he attributes to only one thing: his unwavering faith in God. "As Martin Luther would put it, it's a reckless confidence in the grace of God," James adds.

It is this same faith that has kept this young man going, finishing his political science degree from Ateneo despite dizzy spells and bouts of weakness. He also continues with his outdoor lifestyle, going biking, mountain climbing or cave exploring -- to the exasperation of doctors and friends who have taken turns at scolding him or pleading with him to take it easy and rest, and not to tire himself unnecessarily. 'You never learn', some have told him in reproach.

"Comments like that pain me so much, because I believe that I have been given a second chance at life, not to stay in bed or at home, just waiting to doe," remarks James. True enough, James embarked on a project he dubbed "Bike for Life" in 2000. The concept of Bike for Life was for James and a group of people (some cancer survivors themselves) to travel from Manila to Davao by bike, covering about 100 kilometers a day. And in between designated stops, he would participate in pre-arranged talks or symposia about cancer. "My idea was to tell people, specially the ones afflicted with cancer, that this killer disease can be beaten, that there's life after cancer. My theme for the trip is KKK -- Kayang Kalabanin ang Kanser (We can fight cancer)."

Of particular concern to James are the children from poor families who are afflicted with leukemia, or cancer of the blood. Knowing how expensive the medicines and medical procedures are (his parents are still paying for his treatment and operation in the US sometime in 1996), James is hoping to raise funds and put up a foundation to help in the fight against the Big C. "In the Philippines, the survival rate for children who have leukemia is below 50 percent, a far cry from the 80-90 percent survival rate in the US," he divulges.

James is very much aware that his vision may be quite ambitious and difficult to accomplish. But he's willing to take things one step at a time, and if his tenacity and persistence are any indication at all, it will be no surprise if he manages to pull through.

References: Cancer Warriors Foundation official website and Interview by Bing Parel-Salud for People Asia

Tatay Bikers

Tatay Bikers. Aside from the core riders to be led by James, 10 parents of pediatric cancer patients, who are wards of the foundation, will also be cycling from Manila to Davao. They have been training since June. These fathers have been touched by the foundation's generosity and will be sharing their learnings in the cancer forums.

Each child has a story. Each father has one to share as well...

MR. PABLITO PARADILLA
Mr. Paradilla is the 37-year old father of Justine, a 7-year old girl with acute lymphocytic leukemia. He had to sell the tricycle he bought from his savings as an OFW to shoulder his daughter's chemotherapy expenses.

MR. ROWELL ARROYO
Mr. Arroyo is a 21-year old tricycle driver and father of 4 children. One of his kids, Jhewell, has cancer. He has decided to forego 2 weeks worth of pasada-income and sacrifice not seeing his family to spread the news on cancer.

MR. RENATO BAYONAN
Mr. Bayonan is the 28-year old uncle of Ronald Punzalan, a 4-year old boy who died last May 6. Aside from taking care of his family, he took it upon himself to care for young Ronald. Less than a month from Ronald's birthday, he died after late diagnosis and treatment of chicken pox. Despite the loss, Mr. Bayonan continues to be one of the most active and involved volunteers of the foundation. When asked why he will be biking for life, he strongly responds, "....gusto ko pang makatulong sir! at ayokong madaanan ng iba ang dinaanan ng aming pamilya".

Renato was not able to finish highschool because he was diagnosed with a brain abscess caused by regular seizures that led to partial paralysis of his left side in 2000. He was told by his doctors that he only has 5 years to live. Instead of just waiting and counting his days, he would rather make the most out of his time on earth to help on CWF's advocacy.

MR. ROMEO PATNUGOT
Mr. Patnugot is the 42-year old single father of Regine, a 9-year old girl. He used to be a tricycle driver but was forced to sell his priced possession to mitigate costs of his daughter's treatment. He is currently a labandero, a profession that helps the father-and-daughter survive each day.

MR. ANGELO SUANSING
Mr. Suansing is th 32-year old father of Enli, the 1-year old bunso afflicted by Leukemia. He used to be a security guard in Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. Both Mr. Suansing and his wife rely on the livelihood projects given by the Philippine Children's Medical Center to shoulder costs while caring for their child in the hospital.

Meet Armina and Justine

Upon conception of this blog, I have received numerous comments and stories of the lives of parents and children afflicted with cancer. I will be posting such articles once in awhile to share such information that Cancer Warriors Foundation (CWF) have been gathering. Some will be tragic and some stories will be that of success and hope. This is the simple truth that everyone should be aware of...

ARMINA
In one of CWF's weekly meetings last year with its beneficiaries, the foundation met Armina, a 16 year-old adolescent girl, and her grandmother, who is a caregiver. Armina was diagnosed with Leukemia. CWF has been supporting her with her monthly chemotherapy needs.

A few weeks ago, Armina was found on the floor covered with blood in a ward where she was supposed to be having her blood transfusion. CWF saw her the week before this tragedy. She exhibited a strong spirit. She was bubbly and smiling.

The Medical Director of the said hospital visited the wake and her query to the family was ".... where or to whom they will donate the casket...."

This is a reality. A lot of children with cancer are dying and are not being properly cared for. Let's bike for life to commemorate the lives we have lost... to remember the lives we helped to save... to renew the commitment to the fight to save kids from cancer!

JUSTINE
Mr. Paradilla, one of the fathers who will Bike for Life to sustain the medical needs of his kid, called earlier from Batangas Regional Hospital very distraught and angry because the nurse transfused the wrong blood type to Justine!

Let's pray that Justine survives this challenge. Let's hope her 3 year-old body recovers with no long term effects. Let's BIKE FOR LIFE for Justine and the 30 plus Batangueno kids with cancer that the foundation is supporting...

Cancer Warriors Foundation

In May 2000, Cancer Warriors Foundation (CWF) was established by James Auste and dedicated men and women whose families' lives have been touched by cancer and who have committed to help in the FIGHT against cancer. It is essentially a volunteer network of young people who have committed and are freely sharing their time, skills and resources to advance the fight against childhood cancers and to assist in the treatment and care of poor and disadvantaged kids stricken with cancer.

The foundation is committed to the fight against cancer. It will pursue the following:

* F acilitating increased awareness and understanding of childhood cancers, with emphasis on early detection, proper management and care.
* I nitiating programs and activities that will inspire cancer patients, survivors and their families, that there is hope and life, even with cancer.
* G enerating support and pro-active involvement of various sectors in information/education/communication (IEC), and advocacy, especially on childhood cancers.
* H elping ensure that poor and impoverished children with cancer will have access to timely and appropriate diagnosis, proper treatment and quality care.
* T aking the lead in building and strengthening linkages and encouraging resource – sharing, between and among local and international groups, involved in cancer prevention and care.

The Cancer Warriors Foundation is engaged in innovative programs and activities to bring across its message and challenge: LET'S HELP KIDS BEAT CANCER.

One of the many projects of Cancer Warriors is the BIKE FOR LIFE. The first one was the southern Luzon and Visayas Journey on June 4-22 in 2000. The second one was the Northern Luzon Journey on August 31 - September 15 in 2002. After 5 years, CWF will be embarking on its 3rd Bike for Life project from Manila to Davao on September 16-30.

Please visit http://www.c-warriors.org/ for more information about the Cancer Warriors Foundation.

Bike for Life 2007

On April 1, 2007, Boy Siojo mentioned about a BIKE FOR LIFE project for the benefit of people afflicted by cancer. I honestly thought that it was a great idea to combine people's love for cycling and their passion to do something about this dreaded disease. This blog aims to share the whole experience... the preparation, the wonderful people we'll meet along the way and the events on each leg.

The Bike for Life Tour 2007 is a journey that will start in Metro Manila and will go all the way to Davao . There will be a core group of riders headed by James Auste, the executive director of the Cancer Warriors Foundation who himself is a cancer survivor. We will be riding together with 10 parents of pediatric cancer patients who are wards of the Cancer Warriors Foundation.

At the end of the day after each leg a forum on cancer awareness will be held with the message that Cancer can be Beaten. The tour is not a race, but you are most welcome to join and ride with us on any of the legs.This is the tentative Itinerary:

SEPT 16 -- Ayala Town Center, Alabang TO BATANGAS CITY
SEPT 17 -- RORO TO CALAPAN, BIKE TO ROXAS OCC.MIN, RORO TO CATICLAN
SEPT 18 -- BIKE TO KALIBO
SEPT 19 -- BIKE TO ROXAS
SEPT 20 -- BIKE TO ILOILO
SEPT 21 -- RORO TO BACOLOD BIKE
SEPT 22 -- BIKE TO SAN CARLOS
SEPT 23 -- BIKE TO DUMAGUETE
SEPT 24 -- RORO TO CEBU
SEPT 25 -- DAY IN CEBU BIKE AROUND THE CITY
SEPT 26 -- TAKE RORO TO CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY
SEPT 27 -- DAY IN CDO BIKE AROUND
SEPT 28 -- BIKE TO MALAYBALAY, BUKIDNON
SEPT 29 -- BIKE TO QUEZON, BUKIDNON
SEPT 30 -- BIKE TO DAVAO CITY

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES... ......... ......... .

With determination, passion, perseverance and faith in God, cycling 1500 kilometers is possible. Likewise, giving a child a fighting chance to beat their cancer is achievable.You, too can be part of 'The Bike for Life" here's how:

1. Pledge PhP300.00 for every kilometer that the cyclists will complete and each kilometer completed contributes directly to The Cancer Warriors Foundation's fund for the treatment of these children. It takes approximately Php100,000.00 a year per child to fight cancer.

2.Joining any leg of the tour and giving a fixed donation of 1500 pesos per leg that you will be joining. Each leg will be approximately 100kilometers.

3. Helping us find sponsors for the Venue for the Forum and the meals,and accommodations for the contingent at each of the stops.

4. If you know of any company that may want to sponsor the journey then we can give you the sponsorship packages that are available.

5. Any financial support is welcome. Checks should be addressed to Cancer Warriors Foundation. We prefer accepting checks for proper accounting.

If interested, kindly get in touch with the following people: Carmela Serina (cvserina@yahoo.com), James Auste (jamesauste@yahoo.com), Denise Matias (denise.matias@gmail.com), or Boy Siojo (seacid2002@yahoo.com).