$8.5K needed for sick worker’s airfare alone

Geraldine Amor, the contract worker diagnosed with lupus and is seeking monetary donation from the community, needs at least $8,500 to pay for her airfare and that of a doctor and a nurse to escort her from Saipan to Manila.

This amount is on top of the “deposit” being asked of Amor by Asian Medical Center in Manila for them to accept her on her arrival in her home country. But the family is now thinking of bringing Amor to another medical facility in the Philippines.

“We need much more than what we currently have,” her aunt, Remy Amor, told Saipan Tribune.

The aunt said her niece will have to pay for 10 seats on Asiana Airlines, including the seats for an accompanying nurse and doctor.

Remy Amor, the Overseas Filipino Worker Support Group led by welfare committee chair Carlito Marquez and the Marianas Association of Filipino Engineers and Architects led by Bong de Guzman have so far raised about $1,600.

They have yet to collect donations dropped off in designated points on Saipan.

Geraldine Amor remains in the intensive care unit of the Commonwealth Health Center. Prior to her admission to the hospital, she had been ill for months, resulting in the non-renewal of her contract, which expired on Dec. 10.

“I don’t think her two sons can travel with her back home because of the money needed. The doctor said she can travel but that will now depend on how soon we could raise enough money,” said Remy Amor in Pilipino. “Asian Hospital is also asking for a deposit. We’re seeking the community’s help if they could refer us to other hospitals in the Philippines that don’t necessarily ask for deposit.”

The patient has two sons—a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old.

Geraldine was diagnosed with lupus, an auto-immune disease that can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood, kidneys and brain.

On Tuesday night, her aunt Remy Amor and Marquez appealed for help on the radio station KWAW 100.3 FM, during the show of DJ Jimmy B.

The OFW Support Group and MAFEA have added dropoff points for monetary donations to Amor to be able to reach out to more members of the community. They include Jun Banadera of Saipan Shipping for the Lower Base area; Jun Lapeceros for Chinatown and Garapan areas; Cesar Pantaleon for the Gualo Rai area (tel. # 286 5991/233 0561); and Ciela Puguon, a nurse at CHC’s Operating Department (286 7482).

The other dropoff points are Ever Clean Laundry beside Java Joe’s in Dandan (Jaye N. Bautista; Champstar Electronics along Quartermaster Road (Marivic Soriano); and Power Plant 4 office on Middle Road near Anaks (Carlito Marquez 286 6337).