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Bea Santiago opens up about journey surviving kidney disease

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E. Kristhoff Cagape

<p>Miss International 2013 Bea Santiago opened up about her journey surviving kidney disease.</p><p>The beauty queen was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy when she was only 16 years old.</p><p>According to the Mayo Clinic, the condition occurs &quot;when an antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA) builds up in your kidneys.&quot;</p><p>The first symptoms she experienced was having allergies.</p><p>&quot;Akala ko lang kasi po allergies kasi nga my throat was itchy, my tonsils was always inflamed. May flu, may fever, cough, cold, runny nose. [Tapos] may parang mga red dots ako sa legs na hindi naman siya from anything else,&quot; she said in an interview with Butch Francisco.</p><p>Years later, her kidney disease lead to end-stage renal failure.</p><p>Bea then relocated to Canada where her family is based to focus on her recovery. </p><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/Co6UpUktL-7/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fent-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A765844.8999999762%2C%22ls%22%3A259432.79999998212%2C%22le%22%3A259448.09999999404%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="824" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>&quot;The first time (dialysis) was overwhelming... Umiiyak ako,&quot; she confessed.</p><p>Last year, Bea had a kidney transplant. Her younger brother donated his kidney to her.</p><p>&quot;Thank you so much for helping me, for extending my life, and I&#x27;m forever grateful,&quot; she said in a message for her brother.</p><div><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2022/4/29/fresh-scoops/bea-rose-santiago-sumailalim-sa-kidney-transplant-199833"><strong>READ: Bea Rose Santiago, sumailalim sa kidney transplant; pinasalamatan ang kapatid sa pag-donate ng kidney</strong></a></div><p>&quot;You gifted me something more than an organ, but also a grateful heart. The world is new again. It&#x27;s changing, I&#x27;m changing, and I can&#x27;t wait to see what life has to offer,&quot; she stated.</p><p>On her message to fellow kidney patients, Bea said, &quot;Always choose positive. Walang mangyayari sa atin kung &#x27;yung negative papasok sa brain natin, nakaka-toxic din siya. When you put that here (points to head), it goes around [your body],&quot; she stated.</p><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-3" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc4QYAKtydp/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fent-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A3%2C%22os%22%3A766675.099999994%2C%22ls%22%3A259432.79999998212%2C%22le%22%3A259448.09999999404%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="746" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-3" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>&quot;Kasi &#x27;yun na lang ang meron tayong hawak at magbibigay sa atin ng hope. When all else fails, always stay in the light,&quot; she remarked.</p><p>In an Instagram post in 2022, Bea penned a message for her brother following the transplant. She said that she felt &quot;brand new.&quot; </p><p>&quot;Thank you to my baby brother’s love and bean I am changed. Thank you world for showing me kindness and patience and ofcourse to my family, friends and strangers for your support, countless prayers and positive energy FINALLY AFTER THE 3rd TIME AND 4 YEARS OF DIALYSIS! I FEEL BRAND NEW!!! I FEEL LOVED AND RENEWED! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!&quot; she stated.</p>

Bea Santiago opens up about journey surviving kidney disease

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Bea Santiago opens up about journey surviving kidney disease

Toff C.

Published June 09, 2023 09:18 AM PHT

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Bea Santiago

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IgA Nephropathy

Butch Francisco.Years

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