Filipino mother with lupus pleads: 'Help me return home'

CHALAN LAULAU, Saipan – An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) diagnosed with a serious medical condition in the US territory of Saipan is seeking the community’s help for her return to the Philippines along with her two sons.

Geraldine Amor, 34, had been ill for weeks until she was admitted to the Commonwealth Health Center’s intensive care unit on Monday afternoon.

She is now penniless after her work permit was not renewed when it expired on Dec. 10, 2008 because of her medical condition. She also has to pay for her medical bills and take care of her two boys – a three-year-old and a one-year-old.

Amor has been working in Saipan for five years mostly as an administrative staffer at a now defunct restaurant before taking a job at an auto shop.

The mother of two is appealing for monetary donations from members of the Filipino community in Saipan, as well as the Philippine government. Any money raised will be spent mostly on buying airplane tickets to Manila for her and her sons.

Her aunt Remy, told GMANews.TV on Tuesday morning that Geraldine Amor’s wish is to be able to go home where she could seek further treatment and to be with her family and friends.

"We were told that she has lupus. She got complications such as heart enlargement and sore bones. She also wants to go home now because she has no job here," Remy said in Filipino.

Lupus is an auto-immune disease that can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood, kidneys and brain.

Remy hopes that her niece will soon regain her strength to be able to endure the long travel back home.

Saipan is only about three hours away from Manila through direct flights which are no longer available. Geraldine Amor and her two minor sons will have to take connecting flights that will take them from Saipan to Japan and then to Manila for a total travel and wait time of up to 12 or more hours.

Those who would like to help Geraldine Amor and her sons are asked to call or send a text message to Remy Amor at (670) 484 5811. - HAIDEE V. EUGENIO, GMANews.TV

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