Watch Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them for a cause!

Wednesday, October 26, 2016 Alexis Mendoza 0 Comments

Pinoy Potterheads, the much awaited Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will hitting the theater really soon and just as excited as I am, you're already planning on where to watch this movie. But what if you can enjoy watching while helping out at the same time?

On November 19, 2016 watch the special block screening of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them at Cinema 3, SM City North EDSA - The Block for the benefit of Danz Maderazo's kidney transplant. Ticket is priced at 500php each and will go a long way in helping our friend for his Kidney Transplant.

I've known Danz since 2007 as we are colleagues at Probe Foundation Inc.'s Kabataan News Network (KNN) - Manila Bureau and I know that this kidney transplant will definitely help him a lot on his journey to recovery.

At 28 years of age, Danz is battling Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease.

Before he was forced to stop working due to his illness, Danz was a producer in GMA-7’s I-Witness, Survivor and Reporter’s Notebook, and in Probe Productions, and Kabataan News Network (KNN).

He was 19 years old when his documentary for the Kabataan News Network entitled “Salibabat” about young people and the practice of self-flagellation during the Lenten season, became a finalist in the New York Film Festival.

In 2013, his documentary about “Kopino” or Korean-Filipino children who have been abandoned by their fathers, was named a finalist in the Plural + Youth Video Awards under the United Nations. Danz has also been part of several media teams producing short documentaries on children's rights and child participation in the Philippines and the ASEAN.

Aside from being a responsible servant of media, Danz is also a thoughtful and loving son, brother and friend, with an adventurous spirit and a zest for life. A scene-stealer in parties, his laugh and antics are one of the loudest and merriest.

Danz and Chronic Kidney Disease

In May 2014, Danz was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease/Failure. It is a condition characterized by gradual loss of kidney function resulting to dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and wastes in the body.

At that time of diagnosis, the doctors estimated that only 25% of Danz’s kidneys were working. Currently, Danz is still looking for a donor for his transplant. His kidney function is now down to 0% and he needs to undergo dialysis treatments three times a week.

It is with tremendous discipline and faith that Danz is able to manage his illness. He completely changed his lifestyle, particularly his diet. He now only eats a plant-based, organic food. He and his family have found ways to enroll Danz in Philhealth dialysis program which allows him to have sessions at lower cost.

However, the challenges are still very present. Most of the food Danz needs are expensive and are not be readily available in the local market. Examples of which are strawberries, blueberries and cherries that are high in antioxidants. Also, by October, Danz's allocation for the subsidized dialysis sessions will be used up.

Since his diagnosis, Danz has stopped working because strenuous activities, stress and long hours, which is the nature of TV production, worsens his condition. This led to the cessation of his income, more expenses and dwindling of his savings. This has been especially difficult for him, because he is the breadwinner of his family.

Danz' father is a retired OFW and is now a volunteer pastor at their local church. They own a small sari-sari store at home.

It is with utmost humility that we ask for your support in these trying times for Danz and his family.

For more information or clarifications, please contact Ros at 0920-938-0963.

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To purchase tickets to the special block screening of 

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

for the benefit of Danz Maderazo's Kidney Transplant

Please visit: http://tinyurl.com/FantasticBeastsNov19