The way you live your life depends on you. That’s when I realized I wanna make a difference, change other people’s lives, give hope, even for a moment, use my name for good and change the game I could, because to make it you think I gotta act a certain way, be a little bit insane, live a little, it's okay.

So goes the lyrics of a beautiful song “Unbreakable Smile” by Tori Kelly. Indeed, we only live once, hence we should make a difference in others’ lives.

These lyrics served as Shane’s inspiration when she won the battle against bone cancer . “Living through much adversity can either make you bitter or more caring and empathetic. I am truly blessed because it made me a more caring and giving person. Cancer made it important for me to reach out and help others and not to dwell on myself or feel sorry for myself. It is important for me to share this with others, so that I can make a difference in other’s lives. It may sound silly, but it is real and I want my story to serve as an inspiration to many,” she said.

Shane A. Regalado, a 15-year-old lass from San Mateo, Rizal and a grade-10 home-based student in San Mateo Elementary School, was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2013, but keeps her spirit up. “It was just accidental,” she recalled. “I was playing with my sister when accidentally I tripped off on the floor. After four (4) months, I already had a swollen leg , plagued by crippling pain searing through my right leg.” When the pain became unbearable, the 15-year-old was taken to the hospital by her uncle. Her mother was in Malaysia during that time employed as a household helper.

The Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) test in San Diego Clinic in Rizal revealed an osteosarcoma or bone cancer. At first, biopsy result showed only a benign cyst on her right femur, but specialists at East Avenue Medical Center confirmed that it was osteosarcoma, stage 3, after operation in September 2013, wherein the bones and the cyst were removed. The young cancer victim took the brave but life-saving decision to have her leg above the knee amputated after doctors warned that the disease could spread. Despite the shock, she said the decision between her leg or her life, was a simple one. “Nung nalaman ko na kailangan nang putulin ang leg ko, wala naman po akong magawa dahil alam kong may purpose si Lord kung bakit niya pinahintulutang mangyari yun,” Shane uttered, adding that “I was strangely calm about the operation as I knew it would be saving my life. I didn't even think I would get cancer as a young teenager but I'm so thankful I was lucky and caught it before it spread.”

She was home 90 days after her amputation and started her chemotherapy. Less than a year later, the teenager has finished treatment and was told that she was now in remission. Gifted with a golden voice, Shane is determined not to let her amputation hold her back, and has since become very active as a song ministry leader of Yeshua Harvester Church.

When first diagnosed, Shane viewed cancer as a freight train to death; now she views it as a “catalyst” for change. “I think that life is just too sweet to be bitter. Once I was able to change my focus, desperation led to inspiration. I made so many changes, and I thought that this is an awesome life. I mean, honestly, I don’t think anyone has a better life than me,” she exclaimed. Driven by a desire to help others in situations similar to hers, Shane is willing to give her testimonial to support people who have a lost a limb to cancer, and make a difference in other’s lives.

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Maricris, Shane’s mother, is a former OFW who decided to give up her work for her daughter. She is now a private caregiver at a family in Acropolis, Quezon City. When she was informed of her daughter’s condition while she was abroad, she was worried as she had heard so many terrible stories about patients suffering from cancer. “Kahit sino’ng magulang, ‘pag nalaman niyang may cancer ang anak niya ay manlulumo at manghihina, nguni’t kinakailangan kong maging matatag dahil ako ang sandigan ni Shane,” exclaimed Maricris.

As the only one supporting her family, Maricris said that it was an ordeal that she had to go through, but fortunately, the operation proved timely and her daughter went home after three (3) months of confinement. “That whole experience was traumatic and I wouldn’t want that to happen to any family member again,” she said.

Fortunately, she did not have to spend a cent. Her bill run up to Php71,000 at East Avenue Medical Center but everything was shouldered by PhilHealth, Department of Health and Office of Senator Koko Pimentel. She was very thankful to these agencies that provided financial assistance during the time she needed it. “What I am most grateful for is that I know there is a seed of love in everyone’s heart — something that I have come to see first-hand. Napakalaking tulong po talaga ng mga ahensiyang ito sa amin. Kung wala pong tulong mula sa kanila, ‘di ko alam kung paano kami makababayad sa ospital.” she said. Knowing that her entire family is insured with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) gives a certain level of peace and deep feeling of thankfulness. "Ang PhilHealth po ay para sa kalinga ng buong pamilya, kaya sana bawat pamilya mayroon nito,” stated Maricris.

PhilHealth has always been committed to providing Filipinos with the needed financial protection when illness arise in the family. Just recently, it has expanded its ZMORPH( Mobility, Orthosis, Rehabilitation, Prosthesis Help) to cover the initial fitting of external limb prosthesis to above the knee, hip disarticulation, below elbow and above elbow prostheses, orthoprostheses and orthoses.

It is focused on its mandate to provide its members with health insurance coverage that they can count on, especially during medical necessities, and will continue to administer the NHIP with the members’ best interest in mind.

Maricris is certain that Shane will be able to finish her studies and fulfill her dream of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. “It helps me knowing that something positive is coming from her cancer journey. She can now do household chores such as cooking, washing clothes, etc. even in her wheelchair. She has shown tremendous courage, resilience and maturity and has come a long way in the past years and we are all very proud for everything she has achieved and no doubt will continue to do so,” exclaimed Maricris. The family was morally supported throughout their ordeal by the Yeshua Harvester Church.

According to kidshealth.org, osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer, and accounts for about three (3) percent of cancers that happen in children. Although other types of cancer can eventually spread to parts of the skeleton, osteosarcoma is one of the few that actually begin in bones and sometimes spread (or metastasize) elsewhere, usually to the lungs or other bones. The earlier the diagnosis, the better the chances of treatment and survival. Shane was fortunate that she was diagnosed early and according to her doctor, she is the first bone cancer survivor in the Philippines.

Shane’s biggest challenge at the moment is how to find a donor for her prosthetics. “Akala ko matutuloy na ang pagkakaroon ko ng prosthetics. Noon kasi may isang TV network na nagpledge ng tulong, pero hindi natuloy. Pero alam kong darating din ‘yan. I hope I can have a prosthetic fitted so that I can walk again,” she stated. "For now, I know I have a lot to celebrate and to fight for. As long as people are suffering from bone cancer, I know I have a purpose.” (END) (Emelita M. Retuta and Dianna Marie S. Chua; Photos: Jose Mari Sanvicente)

(Reference: Dr. Israel Francis A. Pargas, Head Executive Assistant and Concurrent OIC-Vice President for Corporate Affairs Group, Cel No. 0917-8089399)