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After a long and courageous battle with cancer, Claudia Cabanas, age 10, daughter of Fedelina Ramirez and Vincente Cabanas, died on February 5, 1997. Claudia touched the lives of all of us who knew her and she will be missed by the entire Project for the People of Paraguay (PPP) staff. Our deepest and heartfelt sympathy is extended to Claudia's family. Nine year old Claudia was suffering from cancer for more than a year when she had a kidney removed and underwent chemotherapy treatment with help from the PPP Emergency Medical Fund. About a year later tumors were found in her lungs and she underwent surgery at the public hospital in Asuncion, Paraguay. Prior to her surgery, PPP obtained a list of all the items necessary for the operation and her care, from medicines to cotton balls, and provided whatever was needed. Public hospitals in Paraguay do not provide anything for the care of the patient. It is the patient's responsibility. "We provided sheets, pillowcases, blankets, medicines and food for the patient and her whole family," PPP Director Sheri Bitzan said. "Her family is expected to stay with her in the hospital and provide for all her needs, nursing assistance just does not exist." "In fact, until we arrived and assessed situation after her surgery, we found she was using a plastic one-liter soda bottle for a bedpan," Bitzan said. "Just experiencing the hospital was an eye-opener," she said. "We found cockroaches crawling all around the bathroom next to Claudia's room." Anonymous Donor Starts the Claudia Cabanas Memorial Fund A donation of $5,000 was accepted to start a memorial fund in honor of Claudia Cabanas. The PPP was also instructed to use a small portion of the donation to provide a funeral "fit for a princess." PPP friend Anibal Fadlala, owner of a funeral home in Asuncion, took great care in organizing the complete funeral. Claudia had a wake and beautiful ceremony at the Cathedral in Asuncion and is resting in peace in a cemetery plot that is "fit for a princess." The Claudia Cabanas Memorial Fund will be used to help other underprivileged children in Paraguay who suffer from cancer. To contribute to this fund click here. Special Thanks to Minnesota Doctors PPP would like to take this time to thank Dr. Cindy Melloy, a pediatrician at the Women's and Children's Medical Center in St. Cloud, MN and Dr. Susan Sencer, a pediatric oncologist at the Minneapolis Children's Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN. Both doctors volunteered their time to review Claudia's medical records to reassure PPP that Claudia was receiving proper medical attention in Paraguay. Both Dr. Melloy and Dr. Sencer were very concerned for Claudia's health and welfare and were very supportive to Claudia's family and PPP staff. Dr. Sencer passed on some very valuable information to the PPP office regarding the National Children's Cancer Society (NCCS) and it's international program. The international program addresses the devastating effects of inadequate and nonexistent medical care by providing medicines, medical supplies and medical equipment to children in other countries in need of assistance. NCCS stated that they are always interested in learning about other countries that might benefit from the international program. PPP Director, Sheri Bitzan, immediately contacted NCCS International Director, Mari Lynne Teter, for more information. PPP and NCCS International are exploring the possibilities of starting a program in Paraguay. The NCCS, in partnership with the pharmaceutical industry, is working to change the dire situation faced by children with cancer worldwide. In third world countries, five to six times more children develop cancer each year than in industrialized nations. In developing countries, most children with cancer will die because optimal therapy cannot be delivered due to lack of drugs and pediatric oncologic expertise. Sharing oncologic technology and expertise with developing countries could save more than 50,000 children a year. The international partnership which provides cancer related drugs, medical equipment and supplies to children overseas has been a tremendous success. Since 1993 over $1,376,616 of donated cancer related products have been distributed thanks to the generosity of companies who are determined to think and act globally. The NCCS continues to receive urgent requests for cancer related problems. An immediate response is needed. Please donate overstocked or surplus products. With your help, children will survive. To learn more about how you or your company can help, contact the NCCS at:
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