Fil-Can Martin Lintag succumbs to leukemia

FILE: It is with profound sadness that I inform you of the passing of my beloved cousin, Martin Lintag, at 11:30 pm on Sunday, April 21 after a courageous battle with leukemia. (Photo:
Ammabelle Lacorte Basco)

Thirty-year-old Filipino-Canadian Martin Lintag passed away last Sunday, April 21, more than a year after he was diagnosed with two types of leukemia.

“It is with profound sadness that I inform you of the passing of my beloved cousin, Martin Lintag, at 11:30 pm on Sunday, April 21 after a courageous battle with leukemia,” Ammabelle Lacorte Basco wrote in a Facebook post.

“He was surrounded by his loving parents, Bong and Linda, his loving Auntie Fely and Tito Ed, and his loving friend Jess Johnson,” she added.

Basco said Lintag’s parents asked her to extend their heartfelt gratitude to their relatives and friends for their words of encouragement, support, love, and prayers during her cousin’s fight with leukemia.

Valerie de los Santos also remembered her friend through posting a photo of them together on Facebook along with a caption, “Moments before this photo was taken, my Ninong Bong Lintag laughed at us both for having such naturally huge smiles.”

She continued, “Martin, I hope you continue to smile your infectious smile up in Heaven. Until we meet again, Rest In Peace.”

Lintag was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, just a few days after his 30th birthday in July 2018.

Prior to his diagnosis, he shared that he had been “super active” as, during those times, he was still playing dodgeball, frisbee, beach and indoor volleyball, bowling, and even coaching.

“So it all came as a surprise,” he said. “The truth is, I may only have as little as three months to live. I am worried about my parents as my little brother passed away nearly 10 years ago, and I am the only child left.”

A stem cell swab was organized for Lintag at Vancouver’s Croatian Cultural Centre in February, where the DNA of potential stem cell donors were tested through swabbing their cheeks. There were 599 people who participated in the drive which was hosted by Lintag’s family and friends.

For him to survive, Lintag had to find a donor that matches with his ethnic group, according to Sarah Jasmins of Canadian Blood Services, but it was not easy for him and his family to look for one as there is only one percent of Filipinos in their database.

“You’re looking for a needle in a haystack. For some communities, that haystack is a lot smaller than others,” she added. Members of Filipino-Canadian community of Richmond, British Columbia joined forces, hoping they will find a match for Lintag.

Lintag earlier thanked everyone who supported him during his battle, saying, “It has been a crazy journey and in spite of all the bad news and complications I’ve had, I am so grateful for all your help.”