Kim Atienza continues fight against rare disease
Kim Atienza (center) with his family in a hospital's intensive care unit. He was hospitalized for a rare disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome. Screenshot from Instagram/Kuya Kim Atienza
“Today, the last day of February is celebrated as Rare Disease Day. I’m sharing this as a way of helping create awareness for rare diseases. A few years ago I was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a rare but serious autoimmune disorder,” Kuya Kim posted on his Instagram.
Kim almost died twice: from a stroke in 2010, and from GBS in 2013.
Guillain-Barré syndrome happens when the immune system attacks healthy nerve cells in one’s peripheral nervous system. This leads to symptoms such as pain, numbness, weakness, and tingling. It can eventually lead to heart and blood pressure problems and paralysis.
According to research, the exact cause of Guillain-Barré is unknown, but it is usually triggered by infectious diseases like lung infection or stomach flu.
In a Twitter post, Atienza clarified that he is no longer suffering from GBS and was healed in 2013. He, however, posted the picture from five years ago to advocate for other GBS sufferers.
well meaning article pero wala na po akong sakit. My GBS by God's grace was healed in 2013. This is a 5 year old picture. https://t.co/hOE2nwV76B
— kim atienza (@kuyakim_atienza) March 16, 2018
The “It’s Showtime” host assured that he is now doing well.
“God worked his miracle through the doctors who looked after me. I’m now doing great,” he reported.
Kuya Kim also wanted the public to help other patients suffering from different rare diseases.
“Some aren’t as lucky. There are patients, especially kids in the Philippines who suffer from various rare disease. Let’s help them live better lives,” he vouched.
He encouraged his followers to contact the Philippine Society for Orphan Disorders at info@psod.org.ph to help patients in their battle against rare diseases.
