LAS VEGAS, Nevada – The wife of Filipino boxer ZC Oliveros “The Dream” Gorres appealed for financial assistance to bring her husband from Las Vegas to the Philippines.

Dachess Gorres said the cost for his air ambulance to the Philippines is expected to be US$100,000.

"Sa ngayon po, kailangan po talaga ng pera para sa kanya. So yun po talaga malaking problema. Kami, wala kaming pera kasi yung source of income namin ay yung pagbo-boxing lang ni Z,” Mrs. Gorres said.

Out of ICU

The Filipino boxer has recuperated. He is now out of the intensive care unit (ICU) and is in an intermediate unit.

His attending physician Dr. Michael Casey said that as soon as he can breathe on his own, Gorres will be ready to go back home.

Gorres still needs a tracheotomy tube to help him breathe.   

Dr. Casey also believes that Gorres will need rehab and emotional support from his family for a full recovery.

"He is still close of going back home, just the basic housekeeping change the tracheotomy tube out so that he can swallow to make him more ready to eat and function normally. He couldn't speak but he communicates with his hands and write notes and becoming very very functional,” said Dr. Casey.

Family support

Dr. Ben Calderon said the support from his family will help the boxer to quickly recover.

"Ang support ng family ang magpu-push sa kanya para maka recover ng mas mabilis. So mas maganda sana kung madala natin siya sa Philippines. Ang biggest concern natin ay yung cost nung transportation hindi pa natin alam kung magkano," said Dr. Ben Calderon.

Gorres underwent brain surgery after his bout with Luis Melendez at the Mandalay Bay last month. He was knocked down in the 10th round. He was able to get up 30 seconds before the final bell rang and was declared winner via unanimous decision.
 
“Sa ngayon po wala pa namang tulong nakakarating (from Top Rank) pero may nagsabi po na tutulong daw sila,” said Mrs. Gorres.

Rumors have it that Z's medical bills are enormous and that his insurance is not enough to cover all the medical expenses in the US.

But his coach and trainer Edito Villamor said that the UMC Hospital hasn't talked to them about this matter.   
"Sa pera hindi ko naman alam yung bills. Ang importante na ma-stabilize si Z at makauwi na sa Pilipinas. Yun lang ang importante," said Villamor.

Dr. Calderon, founder of the Filipino medconnect.com, is now organizing and calling local Filipino American associations to help Gorres’ expenses.

He said that the Philippine Medical Association of Nevada is now working hand in hand with all other organizations. Bev Llorente, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau