BMFI

Appeal for help

28 November 2007

Dear friends,

We are writing on behalf of a colleague in the development community, Dr. Grace J. Bag-ao or Doc G, who had an accident while serving as the medic of the Sumilao farmers' "Walk for Sumilao Land, Walk for Justice."

On 19 November 2007, at around 4 a.m., Doc G and the farmers were preparing to walk for 39 kilometers from Pasacao to Sipocot, Camarines Sur. She was going down the stairs when her right leg twisted. She broke her lower leg bones or the bones above the ankle (femur and fibula). She was rushed to Naga City for immediate hospitalization. On the same day, she was brought to the Manila Sanitarium in Pasay for thorough check-up.

The doctors explained that human bones heal naturally in time. If hers would appear to rejoin correctly then there is a good chance that her right leg would only be cast or cemented until the bones healed. However, if the X-ray would show that the broken bones might not be properly joined, then she would have to undergo an operation where the doctors would place a stainless plate in her leg.

She is under observation for a week and she prays for her diagnosis to reveal that she would not need to undergo surgery. Aside from not wanting to be operated on, surgery would require a huge amount of resources. Doc G took a leave from her clinic in Cagayan de Oro just so she could join the Sumilao farmers' march in her capacity as medic. This means that she does not have any disposable income that could cover the expenses for surgery or leg casting.

When her sister, Kaka Bag-ao, invited her to join the Sumilao farmers' march as part of the core support staff, she readily took on the challenge. Everyday since San Vicente, Sumilao, Bukidnon until Pasacao, Camarines Sur, she would prepare the marchers' medicines and vitamins, take their blood pressure, and inspect their wounds and allergies. After she is through with her "morning rounds," she would walk with the farmers, regardless of kilometers, so she would be present when a marcher would collapse and would need immediate assistance. When the farmers reach their venue for the day, she would do her "evening rounds" after which she would attend the nightly assessment and planning meeting of the team leaders and the support staff.

She also takes care of the support staff. When she notices that we are not feeling well, she would readily give us vitamins and medicines.

Doc G believes in the cause of the Sumilao farmers: the validity of their legal case and the dignity of their form of struggle. This belief, which she turned into concrete action, must have caused her physical strain and lack of resistance.

It is in this regard that we write to seek your help. Doc G needs financial assistance for her medical requirements: cost of operation, doctors' professional fee, and medicines. To raise this on her own is a tall order considering that her clinic stopped its operations when she joined the walk. Thus, whatever amount that you could give her would go a long way in helping her shoulder the medical costs. Kindly send your financial assistance to her account:

Grace J. Bag-ao
Banco de Oro Cagayan de Oro Branch
Savings Account Number 1760012635

For those of us who believe that another world is possible because people like Doc G give their time, resources, and energy for causes like the 144-hectare land of the Sumilao farmers, let us help in achieving that vision by helping a fellow advocate and encouraging her at this challenging point in her life.

Maraming maraming salamat.

Sincerely,