A seamstress in Dubai is turning her personal tragedy into a meaningful cause. Margie Mae Suyman Mahinay, a 36-year-old single mother from Bohol, has embarked on a leukemia aid drive to honor her son, who passed away from the disease at the age of seven.
Mahinay, who works for renowned Filipino fashion designer Michael Cinco, said she was inspired to start the initiative in memory of her eldest child, who died on March 16, 2012. “Gusto kong tumulong sa mga batang may leukemia kasi nakita ko talaga kung paano ‘yung hirap na dinaranas ng mga batang may ganuong karamdaman,” she shared, reflecting on the painful experience of losing her son just days after celebrating his birthday.
Despite the 14 years that have passed, Mahinay said the loss still lingers, but she is determined to channel her grief into helping children affected by leukemia.
Cinco, known for dressing celebrities and royals, expressed his full support for Mahinay’s cause. “It’s wonderful to hear about a mother turning her personal tragedy into a meaningful cause to help others, especially children suffering from leukemia,” he said. “Yes, of course I will support her,” he added, commending Mahinay’s dedication and calling her a “hardworking and honest person.”
Mahinay, the eldest of four children, left the Philippines in 2012 to work in Dubai. Initially employed as a domestic helper, she eventually joined Cinco’s fashion house as a seamstress in 2018.
Recently, Mahinay was named 4th runner-up at the inaugural Super Mom UAE beauty pageant, an event recognizing the efforts of overseas Filipino worker (OFW) mothers. Malou Jane Polangco, the pageant’s founder, said she wanted to highlight the contributions of OFW mothers, noting, “They deserve to be highlighted and recognized pero hindi nabibigyan ng highest respect and appreciation.”
Now, with Cinco’s backing, Mahinay’s leukemia aid drive aims to raise awareness, support research, and offer assistance to families struggling with the disease, providing much-needed hope for children battling leukemia.