A Soprano who has Leukemia needs help

I am reiterating my appeal to you, and through you to your friends, to help keep the voice of an angel singing for our country and for the world. The angel I'm referring to is the granddaughter of veteran PR counselor Max Edralin, Alexis Edralin, who, at only 25, is already considered one of the country's best up and coming sopranos. At 17, she won the championship in the Solo Voice Category B of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists. She has since been a much sought-after performer both here and abroad. She did her first solo concert at the Philamlife Auditorium on June 2, 2005, impressing her audience that included top musical aficionados and critics. She did another one in December of that year for the benefit of people who have lost their voices due to throat cancer. Alexis said afterwards that the latter was more fulfilling for her.

Now, it's Alexis who needs our help. Last September, Alexis was diagnosed to be suffering from acute myologenous leukemia. Fortunately, this type of leukemia is curable. But the treatment -- consisting of blood transfusion and chemotherapy which Alexis has been undergoing at the Makati Medical Center since September -- is long and expensive. According to the doctors, it may take a few more months before Alexis shows any signs of remission.

Meanwhile, the expenses of the Edralins for the treatment of Alexis have been mounting. They need our help. Alexis' father left them when she was only three years old. Alexis' mother, Cherry Bong, only has a modest job. Max is also helping out with the expenses but he no longer works full-time and is now just a consultant for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Max' wife, Fe, is also under treatment for breast and bone cancer. Despite all these, Max and the rest of the family have kept their spirits up. They were too proud and reluctant to seek help from others but it is Max' friends like us who have volunteered to do so in their behalf.

Donations can either be in monetary terms or by way of blood donations for Alexis at the Makati Medical Center. Cash donations may be deposited directly at Alexis' bank account below but please call or text or e-mail Max Edralin when you do so so that he can properly acknowledge the same. Max's celfone no. is (0917) 855-8615 and his e-mail address is medralin@bsp. com.ph

ALEXIS EDRALIN SUDAYAN
BPI Account No, 9665 8248 18
Pasay Road Branch at 906 Arnaiz Avenue
Makati City

As for blood donations, please call or text or e-mail Alexis' mother, Cherry Bong Edralin, beforehand so she can also advise you how to go about it. Any type of blood can be donated as it will just be credited against the blood used for Alexis' blood transfusions. Cherry Bong's cell phone no. is (0917) 750-0107 and her e-mail address is cherry_edralin888@ yahoo.com

So, my friends, let's help Alexis in whatever way we can. Let's also pray to God to spare Alexis so she can continue to give us an approximation of how the voices of angels in heaven sound. I am attaching two excerpts from Alexis' Philamlife Concert in 2005 so you can hear the voice of an angel on earth for yourself.

Rene Nieva