Heartbreaking situation of a single father raising a sick child
(Baonghean.vn) - My mother passed away when I was 9 years old, my father worked as a hired hand to support my two siblings' education. I have a serious illness, each treatment costs 20 million VND, for my family, that is too much money, we can't afford it...
Loc Van Duong was born into a poor family, Thai ethnic group in Moi village, Luc Da commune, Con Cuong. His father's name is Loc Van Hang, 37 years old. His mother passed away when he was 9 years old.
The life of the father and three children, Mr. Hang, was extremely difficult and miserable. Mr. Hang had to work for hire, carry heavy loads, do whatever he was hired to do, hoping to have three full meals a day for his children. Knowing that his children were sick, the father had to "turn a blind eye" because where would he get the money for treatment?
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| Loc Van Duong is currently being treated at the Southwest Nghe An Regional General Hospital. Nephrotic syndrome has caused his whole body to swell. Photo by Ba Hau |
On the day Duong had to be rushed to the emergency room, his father was still working for hire. He said: “Duong was born healthy. At the age of 8, he suffered from nephrotic syndrome, water retention, and prolonged urinary retention, so his whole body was swollen, his skin stretched out, and he looked very pitiful. Despite his illness, Duong was very well-behaved. During the 6 years of school from grade 1 to grade 6, he was an excellent student and was rated by teachers as a good and studious student.”
Around the end of 2014, when the family discovered that their child was sick, they took him to the District General Hospital for treatment. After about a week, they did not have enough money to buy special medicine, so they had to escape the hospital and return home, hoping to hold out with cigarettes. Not long after, the disease relapsed, and Duong is currently being treated at the Southwest Nghe An Regional General Hospital.
Although they have health insurance, due to the specific nature of their illness, they have to use medicines that are not covered by insurance, so the family has to buy them themselves. With the cost of medicine being 2 million VND/day, each treatment course lasting 10 days, for Duong's family, that is impossible. "I have borrowed from all the places where I could borrow money to have money to treat my child. His illness must be treated according to the correct regimen, lasting his entire life, so now I don't know where to turn. With 5 million VND borrowed, I brought my child here for 2 days and now I only have a few coins left. For food, the hospital supports the program "Bowl of Love Porridge". When I run out of money, I have no choice but to take my child home...", Mr. Hang said, his eyes filled with tears.
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| The teachers of Luc Da Secondary School and some benefactors donated more than 7 million VND to support him. Photo: Minh Hanh |
On May 16, the teachers and students of Luc Da Secondary School, where Duong is studying, and some kind-hearted individuals also raised more than 7 million VND to support Duong in buying medicine for treatment. However, in order for Duong to have the funds for long-term treatment, he really needs the cooperation and help of kind-hearted people.