(UPDATE) Trust fund set up for dying Pinay caregiver in Canada

MANILA, Philippines - Concerned kababayans in Canada have set up a trust fund to help pay the hospital bills of a Filipino live-in caregiver who is dying of cancer. A trust fund for Juana Tejada had been opened to help her cope with her medical expenses as she battles stage 4 lung cancer in Canada, reported the Toronto Star’s online version. In an interview with the Star Juana’s immigration lawyer, Rafael Fabregas said they received overwhelming calls and e-mails from people willing to offer emotional and financial help to the Filipina caregiver. Juana was lured to work in Canada in 2003 under the Live-In Caregiver Program (LCP), which grants foreign workers permanent residency— and an opportunity to petition their entire family — upon fulfillment of their three-year assignment as well as necessary medical and criminal clearances. But when doctors discovered her illness during a routine medical check-up in 2006, Juana learned the bad news: she only had a five percent chance of surviving cancer after five years. Determined to give her family a better life, Juana appealed to waive the good-health requirement for humanitarian reasons. Her petition was denied twice and she is scheduled to return to the country on August 8. "The support has really helped Juana emotionally and spiritually. She is feeling much stronger. For that, she's extremely grateful," said Fabregas in an interview with the Star. According to the report, donors can give to "Juana Tejada in Trust," account no. 000-10522-1298, TD Canada Trust, 110 Yonge St. Toronto, M5C 1T4. Monique Fabregas, Rafael’s wife, told GMANews.TV in an e-mail that a news conference for Juana would be held in Toronto on Friday (Saturday Manila time). - Mark Joseph Ubalde, GMANews.TV