The Gadiel Smile: How JC Cares extends aid to child suffering from rare condition

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Children are frequently pictured playing outside with their friends, savoring the fleeting wonder of childhood. After all, childhood should be a time to celebrate the early phase of human life. The basis for lifelong learning, behavior, and health is laid early in childhood.

However, that’s not the case for everyone. Gadiel Caagusan learned the unpleasant part of life at a young age. He prefers to deny himself the pleasure of playing outside due to a lump on his tongue that is nearly the size of his face.

There’s nothing more satisfying for a parent than seeing their child happy and smiling. That one gorgeous smile gets them through a long day at work. But, for Gadiel’s father, seeing his child smile is something he longs to see again—a once cheerful smile that has been concealed with a burden that lies beneath his facemask.

Gadiel stayed in their house instead of socializing with other kids. As a result, he has no recollection of what the outside world looks like. In addition, his physique had collapsed due to his inability to eat properly.

“Yung dating sigla niya, nakikita mo na naglalaro sa labas, nakikita mo patakbo takbo, ngayon iba na. Nandito na lang siya, tatanaw na lang siya sa pinto, (His energy is now different. Before we see him playing and running outside, now he’s only here; he’s just looking at the door.)” Gadiel’s father Melvin Bonete said.

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Gadiel is suffering from a rare case of Hemangioma, according to Dr. Gil Vicente, a Senior ENT consultant at St. Lukes Medical Center.

“Nagkakaroon talaga ng paglaki dahil sa sinasabi natin na Hemangioma. ‘Pag sinabing Hemangioma, ito ay tumor, benign naman siya at dugo ang laman ng tumor na ito. Eventually, kailangan natin ‘to ng Angiography (The lump is growing due to Hemangioma—a tumor. It is benign and infused with blood. Eventually, we have to perform Angiography),” Vicente explained.

Tongue hemangioma is an uncommon benign vascular tumor that causes bleeding, trouble breathing, pain, and chewing and speaking difficulties.

Dr. Vicente said that it is not a hopeless case after all. However, it’s an expensive treatment. Embolization procedure is a minimally-invasive procedure that stops blood flow in target areas. Angiography with Embolization usually costs P80,000 to P250,000, excluding laboratory work.

“Sana po ay matulungan niyo po ako. Gusto ko na pong gumaling (I hope you can help me. I want to get well),” Gadiel said.

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Fortunately, Gadiel’s call for help wasn’t unheard. Jonathan So and Carlito Macadangdang, young business tycoons and owners of phenomenal brands such as Toktok, JC Premiere, and Siomai King, watched the news and eventually organized a meeting to help bring back the smile on Gadiel’s face. Under JC Cares Foundation, the president and vice president of JC company donated an amount of P250,000 for Gadiel’s angiogram and embolization procedure.

On March 11, Catty Santos Manlapig and Kristine Tabua, JC Cares representatives, turned over the donation to Rikki O. Escudero-Catibog and Dr. Vicente.

JC Cares Foundation is a charity organization founded to help those in need. Their slogan #KeepHELPING aims to better the lives of other people. The foundation’s initiative is to administer the beginning of good life towards others.

Gadiel is just one of the kids who found hope with the help of the JC Cares Foundation. They have been extending their helping hands to other people and continue implementing their advocacy to keep helping.

The two young entrepreneurs mentioned visiting Gadiel to monitor his healing process. They wish Gadiel a speedy recovery and hope to continue helping other people, especially those who need it the most.