Letter of thanks from Bishop Elmer Bolocon

2007 November 7

Bishop Elmer Bolocon, Peace for Life founding member and former general secretary of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), was diagnosed with bone cancer in November 2007. Bishop Bolocon is a recognised ecumenical leader and committed human rights defender and peace advocate. Peace for Life has been blessed to have him as one of its founders and strongest supporters since its inception in 2002.

Bishop Bolocon continues to demonstrate his courageous spirit in the midst of extreme pain and discomfort. While undergoing therapy and despite his agonising condition, he found the strength to write this open letter to his friends:

Appeal for prayers and support from KASIMBAYAN of which Bishop Elmer Bolocon currently serves as chairman of the Board:

2007 December 7

DEAR SISTERS AND BROTHERS,

May the Peace of the Lord and Blessings of Good Health be with you!

After three months of confinement at the St. Luke’s Hospital, Bishop Elmer Bolocon is looking forward to go home on Monday, December 10, 2007.

In those three months, your prayers and various expressions of support brought cheers and encouragement for Bishop Elmer and family. Bishop Elmer particularly requested people to sing for him and enjoyed the mix of Christmas carols, traditional church songs and the people’s music rendered him.

For your information, the doctor’s latest diagnosis of Bishop Elmer’s condition is multiple myeloma—cancer of the bone marrow affecting different flat bones.

This week, he showed signs of improvement thus the doctor granted the family’s wish to go home. His wife, Ate Mely, with the help of a full-time nurse, will supervise his pain management and all medications at their humble home in Tondo, Manila.

We invite friends to sustain the home visits and share in the ministry of caring for our beloved Bishop Elmer in this most vulnerable time of his life. For those who are able, we also appeal for your generous hearts to share in easing the family’s financial burdens for the hospital expenses. You may issue check in the name of KASIMBAYAN. Bp. Bolocon is the current Chairman of the Board of KASIMBAYAN. We shall give you our account details if you decide to deposit it to our account. Please inform us when you made your bank transaction so that we can swiftly facilitate the release of your donation and give it to the family of Bp. Elmer Bolocon.

Sincerely,

Ms. Norma P. Dollaga

General Secretary

KASIMBAYAN

3/F NCCP 879 Edsa Quezon City

Tel 9251786

Email: kasimbayanyahoo.com