A few years ago, I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Patch Adams, an American physician, social activist and author. I learned an important lesson in medicine from him. During our conversation, I asked him, “What is being a doctor all about?” He smiled and replied, “It’s all about love.”
I am truly blessed to have crossed paths with Dr. Erlyn Demerre and to have been touched by her kindness. She is a living testament that there are good and caring people in the world. I have been friends with her since she became Nanay’s cardiologist and mine, too.
A beautiful person inside and out, Dr. Demerre has not only touched thousands of lives by her brilliance and expertise but also for her humanity, compassion and for everything she does beyond being a doctor.
Dr. Demerre is the founder and chairman of the board of EPCALM, a Christ-centered, non-stock, non-profit organization that reaches out to assist leukemia victims and their families. EPCALM is the acronym for Erwin Piedad Cabanag Adult Leukemia Ministries. Her brother, lawyer Erwin Cabanag, was the city fiscal of Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental when he succumbed to leukemia on May 12, 2005 at the age of 45. Her brother died four days before their family was set to leave for the United States for treatment.
See more of the Boy Abunda’s article in the Philstar’s DIRECT LINE. Please click on the link below:
DIRECT LINE By Boy Abunda (The Philippine Star) | Updated November 9, 2013 – 12:00am
