Caring for her child with cancer, the mother only prays that her child's pain will lessen.

Every mother with a child suffering from cancer shares the same wish: that their child's pain will be lessened. - Photo: DOAN NHAN

I hope my child's pain will lessen.

In 2018, noticing her child's swelling and suspecting kidney disease, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Tram (residing in Lien Chieu district, Da Nang ) rushed her child to the Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital for examination. After nearly a month of treatment, the hospital unexpectedly transferred the child to another facility.

In the days that followed, the child went to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City for treatment of muscle spasms. A year later, the mother received the news that her child had neuroendocrine tumors (a type of cancer).

For many years, Ms. Tram and her daughter have been closely associated with the Da Nang Oncology Hospital. Seeing her daughter in pain, she says her only prayer is for her daughter's suffering to lessen.

Currently, every month, Ms. Tram and her husband have to scramble to find 5 million VND for medication (after Ms. Tram has to stay at the hospital to take care of her child, while her husband works as a manual laborer to support their two young children's education).

Phan Thi Quynh Nhu (daughter of Ms. Tram) has been living on the 10th floor of the Da Nang Oncology Hospital for over six years. Nhu has become noticeably less talkative. From a lively schoolgirl, she has almost withdrawn, enduring pain day after day.

On the same 10th floor as Nhu, many other child cancer patients are also battling the disease. Most of their parents are farmers, manual laborers, or traders. But in addition to the medication costs covered by insurance, each child still needs 3-5 million VND per month to pay for treatment.

Dat had to have his joint removed due to bone cancer. In a few days, he will go to Ho Chi Minh City to have another joint removed - Photo: DOAN NHAN

Feeling less lonely thanks to Thuy's gift.

On the afternoon of May 27th, the "Thuy's Dream" program, organized by Tuoi Tre newspaper, donated nearly 80 million VND to child cancer patients in Da Nang. Fifteen gift packages, each worth 5.3 million VND (including 5 million VND in cash and gifts), were handed directly to the families of the children receiving treatment at Da Nang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital and Da Nang Oncology Hospital.

Over the years, Thuy's Dream program has consistently provided support to children with serious illnesses and their families on occasions such as International Children's Day (June 1st), Mid-Autumn Festival, Lunar New Year, and other special events.

The program not only provides meaningful and practical gifts to give children more hope in fighting serious illnesses, but also offers long-term support and encouragement through its activities, nurturing a flame of optimism and love for life in the most difficult times.

Representatives from Tuoi Tre newspaper (right) present gifts to child patients at Da Nang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital - Photo: TRUONG TRUNG

According to the parents of Doan Gia Bao, over the years, gifts from the Thuy's Dream program have helped the family cover medical expenses, as both parents have had to take turns staying at the Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital to care for their child.

"I'm grateful to the Thuy's Dream program for helping my child fight the disease over the years. The gifts from the program vary from time to time, but they help me see the concern of society for the sick, and the whole family feels less lonely while in the hospital," said Ms. My Linh, Bao's parent.

Thuy's dream is to give 15 gifts to child patients at two hospitals - Photo: TRUONG TRUNG

This year, on the occasion of International Children's Day on June 1st, the "Thuy's Dream" program organized by Tuoi Tre newspaper will award 150 gifts worth over 800 million VND to 150 child patients in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Thua Thien Hue from May 27th to 31st.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cham-con-ung-thu-me-chi-nguyen-cau-con-bot-dau-20240527201026468.htm