A Request...

This morning, I was on Facebook and a friend of mine popped up: Richard Bautista, from The Philippines. We'd met there three years ago when I was training in Subic Bay with Team TBB. He worked at The Bike Boutique (TBB) and took great care of all our bicycles.

Anyway, our conversation went as such...

Richard: "hi how are you? it's me Richie of tbb subic before!"

Me: "Hi! I'm good, you?"

Richard: "my son is still in the hospital since birth."

Me: "So sorry to hear that. What happened?"

Richard: "he's 6mos. premature 800grams only. his more than 3mos. in the hospital now."

Me: "I hope he continues to get healthy. Sorry to hear this."

Richard: "I just send you a message if you can help me to go back into running? All my running gear has been sold to use the money for my son. I don't know how we cope up with this. I stop running because of this. I can't even afford to buy a shoe. If you can help me or if there's someone you know to give me an old shoe for me to use. Its really much appreciated. It's one way to divert myself in all of this problem that we have. Sorry to disturb you. Thank you. Be safe!"

Me: "What size shoe are you? And what's your address?"

Richard wrote back. He's a size 10 men's and size small top, medium bottom. I decided to post his request on Twitter and right away received four responses offering shoes, clothing and funds to help him out. It quickly made me realize how small this large world can be and how easy it is to help someone in need.

I asked Richard to send me his story so that I could post it here and continue seeking requests on his behalf. I'm putting a big package together for him and his family that will be sent out before Christmas. If you're interested in helping please post to this blog or email me directly (tri3angela@yahoo.com). I can give you my shipping address. Anything would be appreciated. Here's a small list:

Shoes size: 10 US pronator

Running clothes: Small top, Medium bottom

Wife shoes size: 7 US neutral

Toys: Any toys for baby RAFAEL and any baby clothes will do.

For the bike i'm not sure because no one send a bike for me. Size 48 or 51 or Small.

If you would like to donate funds, I'll be sending this through a bank.

You can also learn more about Richard on his Facebook page and here.

Richard's story:

I am Richard, father of Rafael Carlos. He was born just 3mos. early @ 880grams. He's in the hospital since birth for more than 3months now. His heart stop twice and done blood transfusions 3 times. And still needs a lot of medical procedure. But so far his doing great! His 4lbs. now. Still underweight with his age.

They saw something wrong with his eyes. They will inject it with AVASTIN or laser it. As soon as we have the money. We need to pay them in cash for it. So that it wont add up to our hospital bill and they don't allow it anymore. His still in the Nursery ICU but not in the incubator after been there in more than 2 mos.

We've been through a lot.We're doing everything just to save some money. Sold all my running gear and stuffs, even my bike. What i'm using now for work is one sleeper and one sanuk sandals. I can't even buy a formal shoes to use if i have a meeting. I'd rather used the money for my son.

We're living in a small apartment in Angeles City. Walking everyday from Buendia taft (where i stay) to Makati Avenue (office) around 4.5 Km. one way, eat once a day if there's a little budget atleast eat twice. We've been waited for more than 7years to have him.

Our life really is a story to tell. We've been bf and gf for 13years before we got married. We already loosing hope and accept the facts that we're not going to have a baby. Now that he's here we can't do anything to take him home. I'm the only one who's working now. My salary is not even enough for my son's everyday needs.

The hospital stop the billing because our bill is more or less 500K (12K USD) already. So, we need to buy everything he needs outside the hospital. We already gave partially the amount of more than 100K (3.5K USD). But still it's been a long way for us to reach our bill. It's hard for a parent like us not to take him home after the long years of waiting.

I am working now in Makati, my son is in Sacred Heart Medical Center in Angeles City 5 hrs. drive on a public transportation. So, I'm staying here in Makati for work and going home every Saturday afternoon. My wife is visiting our son everyday from morning till night to give what's my son's need.

The hospital is just a walking distance from our apt. 2km forth and back. We really can't pay the hospital bill if i'm the only one who's working so, we decided for her to apply abroad for work to save money to take him home. It's hard and painful to us but we don't have a choice.

We asked help to some of the politician here but unfortunately no ones gave us anything. There are some people who donate some amount of money and we are thankful for that. You can check his blog, just type HELP NEEDED BABY RAFAEL CARLOS to google. One of my friend did that blog to help us solicit money. We're not asking for anything for our self or too much. We just want for our son to live a normal life and give him everything and take him home.
Thank you very much and more power.

Richard later wrote and told me why he liked to run/ride:

I love running and biking. But I don't have a running gear and bike anymore. Anyways, Running and biking give me peace of mind. Talking to GOD running/biking alone along the road. It's one way of keeping me healthy also. Before when i'm running, I'll see to it that there's no day that i won't going to run even if its raining outside. Not unless it's a typhoon and if i'm sick.

Before i started running my weight is 176lbs. then i went down to my ideal weight of 130lbs. and then that's where i felt so light and can do anything and feeling so healthy. Now that i stop running i gain weight again of course, and with a lot of problems that i have now. I sold all my running gear and bike to used the money for my son Rafael.

Eventhough, i really wanted to run and bike again I can't do anything about it. I'm eager to go back on the road again for my son. To be healthy and fit to see him grow. To play and run with him. To have a long and healthy life to be shared with my family. I'll encourage my wife also.

Now everything that i'll do is for my son. I'll put my son's name in every jersey that i'll have to motivate me to continue what i love to do. Which is running and biking!

Everything is much appreciated! Be safe!

Thank you!