Child recovers from rare skin disease with years of help from GMA Kapuso Foundation

A child has recovered from a rare skin disease with years of help from GMA Kapuso Foundation.

As reported on “24 Oras” Wednesday, Francis James Mendoza looked different now than from when he first met Mel Tiangco in 2005.

Back then, he was diagnosed with epidermolysis bullosa, a rare skin disease that caused fragile skin, and his head and face were full of wounds and blisters.

His mom Cheryl said they asked for help from GMA Kapuso Foundation and they were personally assisted by Mel herself, who immediately called up a hospital.

Through dermatologist Dr. Grace Beltran, the foundation helped Francis over the years and in 2012, when he turned seven years old, he fully recovered.

Francis is now 16 years old and continues to reach for his dreams of becoming a chef.

GMA Kapuso Foundation visited Francis recently and gave his family grocery packs, as well as school supplies, shoes, caps, and a basketball.

Beltran also gave him lotion and soap for his skin.

For all the help he has received, Francis has only one thing to say: “Tita Mel, salamat po sa mabuting puso.”

The Mendoza family also greeted the Kapuso anchor on her birthday: “Happy birthday, Tita Mel. Ang wish namin ay good health. Salamat sa tulong kay Francis.”

Seeing the recovery of the child she helped back then, Mel wished the best for Francis. “Nawa’y sa muling pagkikita natin ay isa ka nang ganap na chef,” she said.

The GMA Kapuso Foundation accepts donations for beneficiaries through bank deposits, PayMaya, Cebuana Lhuillier, Shopee, GCash, Zalora and Mega Mart.

For more information, visit GMA Kapuso Foundation’s website. – Franchesca Viernes/RC, GMA News