It was Claire, Joy's mother who introduced us to another child in need.  Shayne Pitpit, a 9 month old baby girl from Batac, Ilocos Norte.  When we first Shayne, we could not believe our eyes! It was the first time in our lives to see a baby afflicted with the Big C!  In my anger, I said: "Ano ba naman ito! Pati batang walang kamuang-muang, walang kaalam-alam, tinamaan pa ng walang hiyang kanser!"

Since her diagnosis last June 2001 of endodermal sinus tumor (nose area), baby Shayne has gone thru a lot of medical procedures and its attendant pain and discomfort; she has already been operated on to remove the 7x4x3cm mass in her nasal area; she has also had to cope with the distress and angst of 6 chemotherapy sessions.

When I think of Baby Shayne, I cannot help but think of other nine month old babies ---how they have nothing to worry about --- except playing, eating, sleeping and starting to walk.  How life for them often is a cycle of cooing and laughing, crying when they wanted/needed something, and sleeping whenever they are tired.

For Baby Shayne, play time is limited because of all the time she had spent with her mother in the hospital.  Her toys are medical instruments --- her playmates are doctors, nurses and volunteers, who tried to make her feel better before every painful procedure and treatment.

When Baby Shayne cried it was because of the pain of an injection, yet another IV or yet another procedure.  When Baby Shayne slept, it was because she was drained and needed to regain energy and strength for yet another day battling with this formidable opponent known as childhood cancer!

Baby Shayne needs 3 more monthly sessions of chemotherapy.  After that, she can look forward to enjoying a normal life ahead of her.  Her monthly treatment costs about 10,ooo pesos only, surely a small amount compared to the possibility of giving her a future.