United as one

At first, I was in denial. I couldn’t believe what happened to CV. He’s very cheerful and he has a great future ahead of him.

JOVELYN Gonzaga has only one wish: See her nephew recover from a critical illness.

Among all sports, volleyball perfectly embodies teamwork and collaboration.

A spiker wouldn’t be able to soar for that strong attack if not for the blockers who thwarted the opposing spiker, the libero who kept the ball alive and the setter who came up with that beautiful, perfectly timed assist.

That’s why volleyball coaches and trainers devised drills and exercises that put premium on teamwork. They knew that the entire squad wouldn’t be successful if somebody would commit an error or fail to communicate with the rest of the team.

Last week, volleyball players again displayed their teamwork.

But this time, they didn’t mind what league, club or university they are representing. All they were thinking of is to work hand in hand to save the life of a little angel who means the world to Jovelyn Gonzaga, the seasoned opposite spiker of Cignal in the Philippine Superliga.

Like a typical three-year old, Gonzaga’s nephew — Calix Vander or CV — is very cheerful and playful.

“He was diagnosed with an acute lymphoblastic leukemia,” said Gonzaga, who has been very close to her nephew.

“At first, I was in denial. I couldn’t believe what happened to CV. He’s very cheerful and he has a great future ahead of him.”

Just last August, doctors found out that CV has a hole in his heart.

Although an operation is necessary, his family was advised not to consider it yet as his tender age might not handle the stress and pressure of going through a major surgery.

Then, bruises and scratches started to show up on CV’s body. The Gonzaga family was alarmed. They brought CV to the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, where he was diagnosed with leukemia.

“CV has to undergo 12 sessions of chemotherapy,” Gonzaga said. “He already underwent three and, fortunately, those sessions healed the hole in his heart.”

“So now, we still need nine and those sessions are really expensive. That’s why I’m seeking help from the volleyball community so that our little angel could be saved.”

Upon learning Gonzaga’s plight, Rachel Anne Daquis of Cignal and Carmela Tunay of Petron wasted no time.

They immediately organized a campaign in which volleyball stars would auction their playing jersies to raise fund for the medical treatment of CV.

The collaboration was a massive success.

Everybody ranging from stars like Mika Reyes, Jaja Santiago, Alohi Robins-Hardy, Denden Lazaro, Sisi Rondina, Jia Morado and Alyssa Valdez donated their respective playing jersies with bids going as high as P47,000.

Even basketball players like Gabe Norwood, Robert Bolick, Ricci Rivero jumped in, knowing that their support would go a long, long way.

Gonzaga, for her part, donated a jersey that she loves most: A Philippine Team kit that she wore during the 28th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Singapore in 2015.

Aside from it marked the return of the Philippines in the women’s volleyball competition of the SEA Games after a 10-year absence, it was also the last jersey that Gonzaga wore as a team captain.

“I am wiling to give everything for CV, even my most treasured possession,” said Gonzaga, who was overwhelmed by the support from the volleyball community.

“It was unbelievable. I am happy and blessed to know that I am not alone in this battle.”

Auctions are still ongoing and the final amount of fund raised has yet to be determined.

The most important thing is that the volleyball community made Gonzaga feels that she’s not alone in the biggest, most crucial battle of her life.