A Final Goodbye for the Sacueza Family

What would you do if you were told your loved one’s body was in custody until you paid the full medical bill? Can you even image? Unfortunately, for one of our fellow Halo Bearers, this nightmare is a reality. Please help her, and her family say a proper goodbye to her grandfather.

Over the past several weeks, I have learned about the trouble Sandra’s family was having with the medical bills for her grandfather’s care. I offered to start a fundraiser, but they did not want to impose. Then to my complete shock, I learned the hospital would not release his body unless the full bill was paid. Unable to imagine this situation, I reached out to several of our fandom from the Philippines to ask about this policy and what could be done. Unfortunately, this practice was confirmed. Now we are reaching out to the fandom for your help.

Here is their story.

This is Jovencio Bela Sacueza, the grandfather, or rather Lolo, of one of our sister warriors, Sandra (@ffskeana).

Lolo was very secretive, when he felt something he never said anything. He kept it to himself, and around the end of August, Sandra's lola noticed that he wasnt eating at all. Only 2 to 3 spoonfuls of what lola cooked. Lola said she tried even cooking his most favorite dishes like cream dory and salmon but he barely ate it, and she got mad at him for not eating.

On September 1, 2023 Lola was complaining to Sandra and her family that lolo hadn't eaten anything for a week (Sandra remembered this because she went to her Lolo's house to take a senior ID picture), and then that night her lolo admitted to them that he felt a bump on his lower abdomen.

September 2 2023, Lolo got checked in at the hospital, but he didn't have a diagnosis yet since there hadn't been enough tests done yet. That day he got his blood tests, ultrasounds and X-rays and when the results came out few days later, cysts and tumors were seen all over his liver.

Before going to the oncologist, they sought treatment with a Gastroenterologist first which was referred to them by Ate Sam, Sandra's cousin who was a nurse at FEU.

They went to FEU NRMF (Hospital) to get checked by an Oncologist, his oncologist was named Dr. Garcia. there he was told to get a CT Scan and Pet Scan.

The CT scan and PET scans were read by Dr Henedine Chua, Lolo's main doctor, and that's when they learned the tumors were malignant. A liver is generally 16 inches big, and the tumor on his was 14.3 inches, covering the whole liver.

He was in the hospital for three weeks, taken care of - day and night - by Sandra and her Lola. He'd gotten a surgery on the 9th of October 2023, to get rid of the bile/toxins that his liver couldn't get rid of naturally, because there was a massive buildup. And consequently help him be a bit more comfortable, and spend a bit more time with his family. On the 19th of October 2023 at 11.08AM, he sadly passed away at 79 years old, from heart failure caused by multiple organ failure.

During this time, the hospital had been pressuring their family to pay all the bills immediately. So they reached out to more family members to help out, and some friends. But it still wasn't enough. Right now the bill is at an estimated 548k Pesos (about $10 000), and this hasn't accounted for the funeral yet.

Now, they won't release his body out of the hospital to let him have a proper burial and let his family say goodbye to him, until the bills are all paid. The hospital also has only two places in the morgue, and it makes the situation even more time-pressing.

Financially, Sandra's family doesn't have a stable income. They ran a self-made business and went bankrupt due to Covid. Now Sandra's mom and aunt are stay-at-home moms, while her dad and uncles remain freelancers (they only get jobs/get money when they have clients). Her dad relies on selling fire extinguishers currently to clients, so it isn't consistent.

They've asked for financial assistance from the government, but due to his untimely passing the government is no longer legible to loan money for the hospital bills. The family has received 16k off the total cost via healthcard aid and the bill now stands at 548k Filipino Peso.

Sandra was hesitant to share this story, and to ask for help. But it's become a matter of time, so she wants to be totally transparent with this.

If you have anything to spare, please help out our fellow Halo-Bearer, Sandra, and her family. And if you aren't able or would prefer not to donate, please help share this . The goal is at 600 000 Philippine Peso, so all money that isn't spent on the bills will help with the funeral. This is $10578,74.

Every single bit would help, so thank you all!

Other campaign contact: @dchn_elise on Twitter