Lydia de Vega-Mercado
Lydia de Vega, who once reigned as Asia’s fastest woman, is fighting an uphill battle against breast cancer.
De Vega’s daughter, volleyball player Stephanie Mercado, broke the news in a post on her Instagram (IG) on Wednesday as she sought financial help for the treatment of her mother.
“My dearest mother, Lydia De Vega, is in very critical condition due to complications caused by her Stage 4 breast cancer condition,’’ Mercado posted on her IG account.
“She has been diagnosed with this in 2018 and has been silently fighting the disease the past four years,’’ added Mercado.
De Vega has undergone several procedures over the years but Mercado said the condition of her mom remains serious.
“As the disease is progressing, her condition is quickly worsening despite undergoing many procedures including brain surgery,’’ said Mercado.
“I 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 whole-heartedly appreciated,’’ she added.
One of the greatest Filipino athletes, De Vega became Asia’s sprint queen after winning the 100-meter gold medal in the 1982 and 1986 Asian Games and cornering the sprint double (100m and 200m) of the Asian Athletics Championship in 1983 and 1987.