‘Colors Of Hope’

A 12-year-old cancer survivor is giving hope a color — and this will be splashed for all to see in the canvases born of his own hands.

Edward “Jersey” Lipana, who is suffering from Type 2 Spinal Muscular Atrophy (a condition that causes the spinal column to weaken, slowly paralyzing the patient’s bodily functions and making movement impossible as he ages), is holding a solo art exhibit on May 14 at the North Greenhills Clubhouse.

Through his “Colors of Hope,”  Jersey hopes to assist the patients at Bahay Aruga, a halfway house for pediatric cancer patients.

Jersey is getting a big push from the “Brave Warrior Kids” — eight young men, former classmates at OB Montessori in Greenhills, who share a common vision.

These eight — Adrian Ocampo, president; Noel Lopez, vice president; Drew Navarro, treasurer; Ace Barretto, secretary; Ernest Tagle, PRO and media relations head; RJ Jacinto, digital marketing head; and members Pocholo Razon and Reyman Sy — came together to form a non-profit organization named Brave Warrior Kids a few months ago.

The organization’s mission, according to the group, is “to inspire, hope and uplift the lives of kids with cancer and rare genetic diseases by providing them with life-improving and life-saving assistance.”

Although each of the eight had previously engaged in altruistic activities such as feeding street children and conducting outreach programs without fanfare, it was not until Noel Lopez, whose two sons passed away due to spinal muscular atrophy in 2006 and 2015, called on the seven for help, that they decided to form the Brave Warrior Kids.

The very first project of the group was held on Valentine’s Day, 2016 at Bahay Aruga. The Brave Warrior Kids brought food, toys, sandals and even a magician to entertain the pediatric cancer patients at the halfway house. They also donated electric fans, fire extinguishers and smoke detectors.

The organization’s next project is “Colors of Hope.”

“Colors of Hope” will introduce the fledgling organization and its members, who plan to make the organization a foundation. It will, at the same time, launch the artworks of brave Jersey.

Through this solo art exhibit , the Brave Warrior Kids are giving Jersey, who almost died last year, the opportunity to display his watercolor  paintings. Jersey wants to share the proceeds of the sale of his works with the less fortunate children at Bahay Aruga.

Fr. Fernando Suarez, a healing priest, will be at the event to bless its organizers, sponsors and beneficiaries.

George Sison of The Angelos will provide the entertainment during the program, which will start at 6:30 pm.

Already the Brave Warrior Kids have been knocking at the hearts of generous friends and like-minded individuals who sympathize with the plight of children with cancer and rare genetic diseases.

Each ticket to the dinner/art exhibit is priced at P2,000.

I admire the Brave Warrior Kids for pooling their talents and resources to make life easier for ailing children. While they would prefer to keep their good deeds without publicity, we want their good deeds not to be hidden “under a bushel,” so their light “will shine for all to see.”

And my heart bursts with admiration for Jersey, who, instead of wallowing in self-pity, is helping other cancer-stricken children wake up each day with hope, instead of pain.

(For inquiries, call Rosenda at 911-5615)

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