Sprint legend Lydia de Vega in ‘very critical condition’ due to cancer
MANILA, Philippines —Track and field legend Lydia de Vega-Mercado is in “very critical condition” due to complications brought about by Stage 4 Breast Cancer, according to her family.
Stephanie Mercado-de Koenigswarter shared the condition of her mother on Wednesday, saying the nine-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist’s condition is “quickly worsening.”
“My dearest mother, Lydia de Vega, is in very critical condition due to complications caused by her Stage 4 Breast Cancer condition. She was diagnosed with this in 2018 and has been silently fighting the disease for the past 4 years,” de Koenigswarter posted on Instagram.
“As the disease is progressing, her condition is quickly worsening despite undergoing many procedures including brain surgery.”
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The former La Salle Lady Spiker is asking for prayers and also accepting financial donations to cover her medication.
“l am requesting everyone to please pray for her in this desperate time of need. If anyone would like to assist financially to cover her medical expenses, any donation would be deeply and wholeheartedly appreciated. Maraming salamat po!” she said.
The 57-year-old De Vega, known as Asia’s fastest woman in the 1980s, also won two Asian Games gold medals and set a national record in 100m, clocking 11.28 seconds — that stood for 33 years.
De Vega’s last public appearance was in the 2019 SEA Games opener in Bocaue, Bulacan, where she carried the flag with Akiko Thomson, Eric Buhain, Alvin Patrimonio, Bong Coo, Efren “Bata” Reyes, Onyok Velasco, and Paeng Nepomuceno.
