Philippines’ Ian Lariba hits a shot in her women’s singles qualification round table tennis match at the Riocentro venue during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on August 6, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Juan Mabromata
Olympian Ian Lariba is once again asking for assistance as she continues her fight against leukemia, which has now spread to her brain and spinal cord.
The table tennis star revealed via a statement on DLSU Sports Twitter that the cancer has returned. She suffered bouts of headache and vomiting on the first week of January which prompted her to return to St. Luke’s Medical Center.
Lariba was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia in May 2017 but was eventually discharged on Oct.23 after undergoing a successful stem cell transplant on Oct. 7.
READ: Rio Olympian Ian Lariba diagnosed with leukemia
Lariba said she has also started to experience blurring of vision and weakness of the left side of her body. She is undergoing chemotherapy and will need multiple laboratory examinations and blood transfusions.
“I appeal to your kind hearts for any assistance that you can give to help me with my fight against this disease,” said Lariba in a statement La Salle released. “I also humbly ask for your prayers so I may overcome this challenge. Thank you.”
READ: Athletes unite for ailing Lariba
DLSU Sports tweeted that those whore are interested in sending financial aid to Lariba’s way may send their donations to Ian N. Lariba, BDO savings account number: 0045-8045-9965 in the bank’s branch at Vito Cruz along Taft Avenue.
Those interested to provide financial assistance may send their donations to IAN N. LARIBA, BDO savings account number: 0045-8045-9965, Vito Cruz, Taft branch.
Please also be informed that she cannot accommodate hospital visitors at the moment.#KayaMoYAN pic.twitter.com/Okzn4zHHvx
— DLSU Sports (@dlsusports) January 25, 2018
Lariba was the Philippines’ flag bearer in the 2016 Rio Olympics wherein she competed in the table tennis event.