While in his final year at the University of Science and Technology- University of Da Nang, Nguyen Dinh Khanh, born 2002, from Cam Toai Trung Village, Hoa Phong Commune, Hoa Vang District, was diagnosed with acute leukemia, a severe form of the disease. This forced him to pause his studies and travel to Ho Chi Minh City for treatment. Khanh’s treatment is lengthy and costly, leaving his economically challenged family struggling to cover expenses, all in the hope he might one day return to his studies.

Nguyen Dinh Khanh undergoing chemotherapy at the Stem Cell Transplant Department, Hematology and Blood Transfusion Hospital Branch 2, Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Xuan Son

Nguyen Thanh Nhut, Khanh’s older brother, shared that for over two months now, his brother has often felt fatigued and unwell. He would experience dizziness and lightheadedness whenever climbing stairs or doing heavy tasks. After visiting Da Nang Hospital, he was diagnosed with leukemia.

The sudden onset of this illness required Khanh to halt his studies and begin treatment at the Hematology and Blood Transfusion Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. Doctors diagnosed him with severe acute leukemia, a condition requiring chemotherapy. If a bone marrow transplant becomes necessary, the estimated cost would exceed 2 billion VND.

Khanh is currently undergoing chemotherapy at the Stem Cell Transplant Department, Branch 2 of the Blood Transfusion and Hematology Hospital. His medical expenses from November 15 to date have reached nearly 200 million VND, a staggering amount for his family of six. Khanh’s father works as a security guard, while his mother brews alcohol, farms, and raises pigs. Together, their monthly income is just VND 7 million.

“The treatment regimen for leukemia is lengthy, and additional costs arise because many expensive drugs must be purchased outside the health insurance coverage list. Our family has already borrowed from various sources for Khanh’s treatment but still cannot cover the full cost,” Nhut explained. Khanh’s health has significantly deteriorated after multiple rounds of chemotherapy. He appears pale and frail, with restricted dietary intake and a constant need for blood products.

Before his diagnosis, Khanh balanced his studies with a part-time job as a delivery driver to support his family and cover his education costs. Since his diagnosis, he has had to abandon his education and put his future aspirations on hold to focus on battling the illness.

“With our current financial difficulties, we are nearly on the brink of being unable to afford further treatment. Our family deeply hopes for support from kind-hearted individuals and benefactors so Khanh can return to university. That is our greatest wish at this moment,” Nhut expressed.

Donations from our beloved readers can be sent to the Weekend - Readers Department of Da Nang Newspaper, 33 Le Loi, Hai Chau District, Da Nang. Phone: 0236.3812341; Hotline: 0905832222. Bank Account: Da Nang Newspaper - Eximbank Da Nang Branch: 100214851000415 (please specify "Support for Nguyen Dinh Khanh"). Alternatively, readers can contact Khanh’s family directly through his brother Nguyen Thanh Nhut at 0918376743. Bank Account: Nguyen Thanh Nhut - BIDV Da Nang Branch: 5602090221.

Reported by XUAN SON- Translated by TRUC VY, TIẾN DŨNG