A ten-year-old Mexican boy might have a chance at a normal life, thanks to Viagra.
The plan to help
Jose Serrano was born with a small tumor on his neck. Doctors weren’t sure Serrano would live through the night. Ten years later, Serrano is still alive but the tumor has grown. It now covers his neck, pulling his facial skin down, and extends down to his chest. The tumor restricts his movements and doctors are afraid that if the tumor continues to grow it could crush Serrano’s windpipe.
Doctors prescribed Viagra, which has been shown to shrink tumors in the children. Doctors hope Viagra will shrink the tumor enough to allow them to operate safely, according to the Daily Mail.
Donations pour in
The cost of the surgery is about $200,000.
“That is unbelievable amount of money for us,” Cindy Serrano, Jose’s mother said. “More money than we’d see in a lifetime.”
Missionaries from First Baptist Church of Rio Rancho met Jose and helped his family contact the University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital, which is helping defray the cost of the surgery. Pfizer, the maker’s of Viagra, are covering the cost of the prescription and various donations are taking care of other medical expenses.
“Now we can let ourselves dream about Jose’s future. Who knows, maybe one day he can go to university and make a great life for himself,” Jose’s mother said.
Jose is hopeful
Jose, who says he is sometimes sad that he can’t play with other kids his age, says he’s excited about the surgery.
“If the doctors can cure me I will be so happy. I would be thrilled. I would be healthy and I’d be able to do anything I want. I could run fast, play on the swings and rings – anything I want,” he said.
