Jose Serrano, 10, of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, was losing time as life-threatening growth, lymphangioma, could stop him from breathing by putting pressure on his windpipe.
The growth is rough and scaly and often forms painful cysts. It extends across Jose's shoulder and restricts his movement.
The giant tumour on his neck could be cured after being prescribed Viagra. But it will not be safe until the cystic growth is smaller. Viagra, which is most famous for helping male impotence, has been discovered to shrink growths in children. #See more photos after the cut...
The growth is rough and scaly and often forms painful cysts. It extends across Jose's shoulder and restricts his movement.
The giant tumour on his neck could be cured after being prescribed Viagra. But it will not be safe until the cystic growth is smaller. Viagra, which is most famous for helping male impotence, has been discovered to shrink growths in children. #See more photos after the cut...
He said: "If the doctors can cure me I will be so happy. I would be thrilled. I would be healthy and I'd be able to do anything I want. I could run fast, play on the swings and rings - anything I want."
Some of the cysts are invading his lungs and approaching his windpipe. There are also fears it could one day spread to his eyes and affect his vision.
"It's been difficult,’ his mother Cindy explained. ‘People stare at him. Some of them have these terrible, morbid looks on their faces.
We've tried to let Jose live as normal a life as possible. We let him do everything the other children do, unless it's unsafe for him or will be too difficult.
Some of the cysts are invading his lungs and approaching his windpipe. There are also fears it could one day spread to his eyes and affect his vision.
"It's been difficult,’ his mother Cindy explained. ‘People stare at him. Some of them have these terrible, morbid looks on their faces.
We've tried to let Jose live as normal a life as possible. We let him do everything the other children do, unless it's unsafe for him or will be too difficult.
But sometimes he gets so sad because he is different from other kids. Until now there was simply no money to treat him."
Another stumbling block for Jose's family has been the cost. The treatment and surgery to remove the growth will cost a staggering $200,000 and weekly medication fee of $2,000.
Baptist missionary Patricia Avila stumbled across Jose as she and her husband travelled to Ciudad Juarez, one of the world's poorest and most dangerous cities, where they work with children in orphanages.
"We saw him in the street," she said. My husband and I turned to each other and said "Did you see what I just saw?” I told him 'We have to do something'."
The family have been given funding to cover the price after Jose's case was brought to the attention of medical experts.
Now the cost of Jose's ongoing care is being funded with help from the hospital, fundraisers from the church and donations from around the world.
Drug-makers Pfizer have agreed to cover the cost of the Viagra.
"That is unbelievable amount of money for us," his mother said. "More money than we'd see in a lifetime. Words can express how grateful we are to the people who have helped us. It's surreal. It feels like a dream come true."
No comments:
Post a Comment