AJ's family to donate his cornea to blind Marian devotee

source: abs-cbnnews

MANILA, Philippines - The family of AJ Perez has decided to donate the young actor's cornea to Marian devotee Fatima Soriano, who was born blind.

In an interview with abs-cbnNEWS, Fatima's mother, Fely Soriano, confirmed that she and Fatima, 17, have already talked to Perez's father, Gerardo, about the planned donation.

Fely said Star Magic’s Thess Gubi was the first one to formally inform them about the donation on Sunday.

"Noong Saturday nanonood ang mother ni AJ ng ‘Bottomline’ (a talk show on ANC) at si Fatima ang guest. So ‘yon, very fresh pa sa kanya ‘yong story ni Fatima. Tapos tumawag ang husband niya sinabi namatay si AJ," she said.

"We are very grateful na napili nila si Fatima na bigyan ng cornea ni AJ. It's good. I will be very happy kung anuman ang maging resulta. Thankful kami sa family ni AJ kasi una nilang napili si Fatima," Fely said.

The mother said her family is still waiting for the advice of Fatima's doctor before they can proceed with the cornea transplant.

"Kasi hindi pa kami makapag-confirm kung okay ang cornea transplant kay Fatima. Pero after po ng Holy Week, we will be having po ‘yong check up," Fely said.

For the meantime, she said she advised them to deposit AJ's cornea in an eye bank at the Makati Medical Center.

Perez was killed in a vehicular accident in Tarlac highway early Sunday after doing a show in Dagupan.

The 18-year-old actor was with his father and 4 others when an ABS-CBN van carrying them collided with a Partas provincial passenger bus along McArthur Highway in Barangay San Julian.

Initial investigation showed that the van tried to overtake a trailer truck when it hit the Partas bus.

source: abs-cbnnews