2-nation resident who is claimed by neither needs lifesaving care

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Tucson Region

Ernesto Portillo Jr. : 2-nation resident who is claimed by neither

needs lifesaving care

Ernesto Portillo Jr.

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 03.02.2006

was born in Sonora and educated in Arizona. So he

flows easily across the border, fluid in both languages and

cultures.

Yet now faced with life-sucking leukemia, he is stuck between both

worlds.

, 28, has chronic myelogenous leukemia. He's taking medicine to

hold it off, but it's just a matter of time before the potent

disease spreads through his body.

He will need a bone-marrow transplant, likely in a few months, if he

is to live.

But neither country can provide him with the medical services he

needs.

He doesn't qualify for U.S. public help because he is not a citizen.

And he can't receive public medical care in Mexico because he didn't

work in the country.

is in the netherworld of strict regulations and requirements

that determine who can and cannot receive medical care.

" I'm fighting for my life, " said.

We talked Tuesday at the Arizona Cancer Center. He drove from

Nogales, Sonora, where he lives, to have his blood drawn and

checked. It's part of his routine.

Another part of his routine is trying to raise more than $100,000

for the transplant. That's not counting the $20,000 he owes for

medication, blood testing and biopsies.

So far he's collected $3,000 and a promise that a portion of the

transplant will be paid for by his former Tucson employer. He can't

find a good-paying job in Nogales.

Still, he has a long way to go to get well and a lot of money to

raise.

When was 4 years old, his parents moved to Nogales, Ariz.,

where he attended public schools. After graduating from Nogales High

School, he enrolled at the University of Arizona.

It was legal. had a student visa.

While at the university, worked for two years at the Arizona

Cancer Center. He never imagined that he would return as a patient.

In 2004, graduated with an economics degree. His visa allowed

him to work temporarily for a year. He sold cars at Jim Click Ford.

He loved it and did well, he said. But he could not renew his work

visa.

returned to Nogales, Sonora, to live in his parents' house.

They had become legal residents and moved to Rio Rico, a few miles

north of Nogales. He couldn't become a legal resident along with

them because he was too old.

Several months later, began to feel the pain in his body and

the bumps on his head. By November, doctors diagnosed him.

His form of leukemia, referred to as CML, affects one to two people

among 100,000, according to the National Institutes of Health.

For now, the medicine is holding off the leukemia. But when

reaches the next stage, the " blast " phase, the leukemia will be

difficult to treat.

It's been explained to him, and he's read the literature.

But he can beat his leukemia with a transplant. He just needs the

money.

Click and some of his employees have donated money and have promised

more, said Ardie Delforge, a patient assistance representative at

the Arizona Cancer Center.

She works with patients to get them medical care, financial help and

services.

She called a fighter.

and his friends have organized a raffle. He even has sold

raffle tickets to the debt collectors who have called him about his

unpaid medical bills.

He is humbled by the help he's received. He said he intends to pay

it back.

If you can help , call Delforge of the Arizona Cancer Center at

626-7378. Some donations can be tax-deductible.

œ Ernesto Portillo Jr.'s column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and

Saturdays. Reach him at 573-4242 or at eportillo@.... He

appears on " Arizona Illustrated, " KUAT-TV, Channel 6, at 6:30 p.m.

and midnight Fridays.