The Visayan DAILY STAR yesterday received an additional P8,650 in cash and checks for Thelma Panes, the woman from Hinoba-an set on fire by a jealous neighbor, from donors who coursed their donations through singer Token Lizares.

Riverside Medical Center issued a P5,000 check and Cynthia Flores, P1,500. Charee Benedicto donated P500.

Token also turned over P1,650 as additional payment for tickets to her fund-raising show for Thelma on Dec. 10.

Thirty-seven pieces of Para-Tulle, which Thelma uses in dressing her wounds, were donated by distributor Alico Impex through Laura Guevarra.

Thelma needs three pieces of Para-Tulle everyday as well as 4x8 gauze and Micropore, Trimycin ointment, 500mg Ciprofloxacin antibiotic tablets and Vitamin C tablets.

On Monday, Token turned over to the DAILY STAR a total of P112,215 in cash and checks that she had raised for the treatment of Thelma.

The amount includes the proceeds of her ticket sales and the donations she received before and during her fund-raising show at Saltimboca Music Bar in Bacolod City.

The donated amount will be used to buy Thelma's medicines and pay for other hospitalization expenses as well as fund her third surgery three months from now.

DAILY STAR, which has received P39,100 from its readers, had also recommended Thelma's case to PAL Foundation headed by Menchu Sarmiento for assistance.

Also assisting Thelma are the Seacreast Foundation of Violeta Lopez-Gonzaga and the International Care Ministries in Bacolod City.

During her stay at the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City for her two surgeries, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and the hospital underwrite P146,000 for her surgery and other hospitalization expenses.

She went under the knife on Sept. 27 on her face, neck and right arm and on Nov. 18, on her chest.

Thelma sustained third degree burns on her face, chest and right arm when a jealous neighbor, Rose Aqui, threw muriatic acid and gasoline on her face and tossed a burning candle at her the night of May 14, 2005.

She used to have a sari-sari business to provide for herself and her three children after her husband left them to find a job in Manila two years ago.

The children were placed under the care of their paternal grandparents in Dancalan, Ilog when Thelma sought treatment.*NLG

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