41-year-old Ho Thi Chung and her son 11-year-old Ho Hoang Bao Tan, from Hoa Son Commune, Hoa Vang District, Da Nang are now in desperate need of financial assistance to cover the cost of medical treatment for their same life-threating disease: spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). 

Tan under treatment at the hospital

SMA is a genetic disease affecting the part of the nervous system that controls voluntary muscle movement.

Ms Chung, a poor single mother of one, shed tears whilst recalling unforgettable hardships and difficulties during her childhood.  The disadvantaged woman started finding it very difficult to walk normally when she was only 12 years old.  To make the problem worse, 7 years later, she was paralysed in her 4 limbs and her health deteriorated gradually after an unexpected road traffic accident. 

In 2006, Ms Chung welcomed in a new chapter of life as she gave a birth to a chubby son, Tan.  Unfortunately, at the age of only 7 years old, Tan was diagnosed with the same disease as her mother.  Soon after, Ms Chung and her closed relatives together took the trouble to send her beloved son to many medical establishments nationwide for treatment but their great efforts were completely in vain.  Ms Chung was very upset and saddened to see her little son become wheelchair-bound.  Tan then had to put aside a dream of pursuing his studies due to the disease.

In July, Tan was rushed to the Da Nang Maternity and Paediatrics Hospital because his health condition became worse with body cyanosis and shortness of breath.  Doctor Tran Long Quan from the hospital’s Paediatric Recovery Department said that, in addition to SMA that Tan inherited from her mother, the disadvantaged boy is now suffering from pneumonia and an acute respiratory distress. 

Currently, the boy is receiving medical treatment at the Department, with drip-feed, antibiotic and oxygen therapies here.

Every month, Ms Chung receives over one million VND in aid from the Hoa Son Ward People’s Committee budget because her family is very poor.  The doctors also noted that the boy’s treatment costs have been covered by health insurance, but he is required to undergo further treatment with relatively high costs, in addition to other daily expenses for him during his treatment period at the hospital.

Donations for Ms Chung and her son can be sent to the Da Nang Newspaper, 6 Tran Phu Street, Thach Thang Ward, Hai Chau District, Da Nang ( Contact Phone: 0236 3812341 and 0905832222).