When Andy Paul Argao and his wife saw their baby with a swollen hand accompanied by a fever in July last year, they could only hope that it is just a simple illness that would only take a brief visit to the doctor.

However, as the fever did not subside, and the swelling even worsening, Baby Audria, who was barely one year old at that time, had to undergo different laboratory tests.

“Napansin po namin ‘yung aking baby na nagkaroon po siya ng pamamaga sa kamay at sinabayan po ito ng lagnat. Tuloy-tuloy po ang lagnat niya kaya nagpa-laboratory test na kami,” Andy told the DSWD’s new online program, the AICS Chronicles, while recalling the moments leading up to the most challenging moments in their lives.

When it was time to see the results, there came the news no parent ever wants to hear.

It was shown that Audria had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a serious form of blood cancer. Andy and his wife were told that 81 percent of Audria’s body was already affected.

For a moment, time stood still. Fear, helplessness, and anguish kept Andy and his wife up at night. Their world crumbled, in total disbelief that their youngest child would have to battle with cancer at such a tender age.

Despite the devastating diagnosis, however, Andy and his wife refused to give in to despair. Instead, they held on tighter—to their faith, to each other, and to their child. It was a battle that they had to take and win, altogether.

“Lakas po namin, mula sa Panginoon. Siya po ang tumulong sa amin para magpatuloy. Pangalawa, sa tulong ng pamilya ko at mga kaibigan na nagdasal at sumuporta,” Andy said.

But the emotional weight was only one part of the battle. The financial burden loomed large. The doctor said chemotherapy might take three years. The Argao family knew their savings would not be enough to cover the hefty medical expenses ahead.

Amid the difficulties, Andy’s family turned to the government for help. One of the first agencies that came to mind was the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program.

The AICS is one of the social welfare services of the DSWD that provides medical, burial, transportation, education, food, or financial assistance to individuals who are in crisis as assessed by social workers.

“That time po may kaunting savings kami pero kinompute po namin, hindi po ‘yun sasapat para sa buong dalawang taon po na paggagamot… kaya po naisip namin agad na lumapit sa DSWD,” Andy said.

Wasting no time, Andy gathered the required documents and went straight to the DSWD office.

“Nag-schedule po ako na pumunta dito sa DSWD at nagsimula po akong alamin kung ano po ‘yung proseso sa paghingi po ng financial assistance. Napakalaking tulong po ng naibigay po ng DSWD dahil naging maganda po ‘yung takbo ng kanyang chemotherapy,” Andy said, relating how the DSWD’s aid has sustained much-needed medical interventions for their baby.

Every three months, Andy returned to the agency for continued assistance— helping ensure the continuity of his daughter’s treatment.

After several back and forth visits to the hospital and to the DSWD, the miracle that the Argao family has been fervently praying for has been finally answered. From 81 percent, the leukemia in Audria’s body dropped to 0 percent.

“Unang una po ay miracle po ng ating Panginoon at the same time tulong po ng ating DSWD sa financial assistance… naisagawa po namin ang patuloy na pagpapagamot po sa aming anak na si Audria,” Andy shared.

Though the effects of chemotherapy were evident—Audria remained cheerful and full of life, giving the entire family the strength to endure through the hardships throughout their journey.

“Masaya po ang baby ko, malakas po siya tumawa ngayon at malakas din po siyang dumede ngayon sa nanay po niya dahil nagbe-breastfeed,” Andy said, who cannot help but smile over the improvement on her child’s condition.

The Argao family’s story is just one of the thousands of families who was once at the brink of hopelessness but found a helping hand through the DSWD’s AICS Program.

Andy regards her daughter’s recovery as a ‘miracle’ from above, and a well-fought battle against cancer with the help of various support systems, including the DSWD.

“Ang dami niyo pong natutulungan na mga kababayan na nangangailangan ng tulong… Kaya po ako ay lubos na nagpapasalamat—hindi lang po ako kundi ang aking pamilya…nagpapasalamat po sa DSWD sa pagbibigay ng tulong para sa mga nangangailangan tulad po namin,” Paul said, expressing his gratitude to the agency that stood with them as they fought for the life of their bundle of hope.

The AICS Chronicles is a new online program of the DSWD hosted by Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mel Cabigting of the Digital Media Service (DMS). The program, which airs every other Monday via the DSWD Facebook page, features the real-life stories of individuals and families who were able to overcome financial challenges through the help of the agency’s AICS Program. (LSJ)