Before heading to the hospital for treatment, Marlon eats a filling breakfast provided by Operation Blessing.

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala – Marlon has an ambitious dream for his life—he wants to find a cure for cancer. But first, he must survive it.

Marlon is only seven years old, but with a little help from Operation Blessing, he’s getting the strength and resources he needs in his fight against cancer.

Marlon is from a poor family in Santa Cruz del Quiche. Without any savings or health insurance however, his family had no way to pay for cancer treatments after he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, so it was a great relief when a children’s hospital in Guatemala City agreed to treat Marlon free of charge.

Marlon and his mother traveled six hours to reach the city, but they didn’t have the resources to even pay for a hotel room, much less food. Fortunately, a shelter near the hospital offered them a temporary home. Then OBI stepped in to help with the food.

The shelter houses 35 children, most undergoing cancer treatment.

OBI’s breakfast program feeds all 35 children and their parents at the shelter near the hospital.

In the mornings, before his treatments, Marlon sits down with the other children to a cereal breakfast provided by Operation Blessing.

In addition to helping the shelter, OBI also provides the children’s hospital with donations of food, medicine, wheelchairs and more to benefit sick and hurting children like Marlon.

Ivan Palma, a staff member with OB Guatemala, has kept track of Marlon’s progress as he has been at the shelter. “Thanks to God, Marlon is in the final stage of recovery and is in the last few chemotherapy sessions,” he said. “Marlon is very happy now and he looks great.”

Now that he is healthy, Marlon can focus on pursuing his dreams.

“He told me he wants to be a scientist to discover a cure for cancer,” Ivan said.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Every day, Operation Blessing brings nutritious food and essential supplies to thousands facing hunger and poverty in America and around the world. With your help, we can continue to impact lives and give hope to those who need it most. Consider making an online donation today.

 

------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 1997- 2012 by Operation Blessing International of this page and all contents. No part of this site may be used without prior written consent from OBI. All Rights Reserved. Questions or comments? Email us at operation.blessing@ob.org.