Our FaceTime meeting happened by chance on the first day of the month, during Tuấn's journey to replenish his life energy: 1 time every 1 month, for 1 week each time, he must travel 1 route taking more than 1 hour to Đăk Lăk Provincial Hospital for examinations and blood transfusions. We were surprised that he was the one who answered our message and took the call when we offered to FaceTime through his mother's phone. To me, there was something unusual about his face, but it radiated strength, like 1 true warrior. This became even clearer in how he answered questions, speaking about his emotions and physical changes as naturally as possible. There was sadness and pain, yet he showed none of it. He told us about changes around him, his teachers' and friends' concern, his parents' devoted care, and the encouragement from neighbors and everyone else. It seemed what he wanted to say was that he felt surrounded by everyone's love. A warrior, yet deep inside, 1 wave of emotion overflowed after we had talked for a while: he “cried” when we put into deeper words what he wanted to express. They were tears of happiness for everyone's love, the strongest source of strength helping him face reality. We grew closer, sang to each other, and spoke about the beautiful love in this world.
A little later, we met his mother, who had just returned from buying lunch for her little son. Although a little worn out by the heat, she kept smiling brightly and sincerely at us. She said she was very grateful and happy to have people like us accompanying and supporting her family. We could feel the hardships she had been through, and we told her, “Your child is fulfilling a very noble mission. Only gifted and capable people have to learn such difficult lessons. Please have faith and help him fulfill that mission. The same is true of you: you are very strong. We admire and care deeply for both of you, and everyone will keep sending you and your child love.” She was very moved, and we talked more about his current condition. He has thalassemia. From what we have learned, about 7% of the world's population carries the inherited gene, and Asia in general, and Vietnam in particular, have high rates of the disease, especially among ethnic minority communities. His condition is currently moderate, but he has already developed complications involving grade 3 enlargement of the liver and spleen. His face and body once looked very different. Changes caused by the disease — high cheekbones, a flat nose, protruding upper front teeth, and a thin, frail body — have diminished some of the handsome appearance suggested by his name, “Phạm Anh Tuấn.” This partly explains our first impression of him. But inside, as we shared above, we see a courageous warrior.
Feel — feel your heart and follow it; it is far wiser than your intellect. Did you know that when the ancient Egyptians embalmed a body, the only organ they kept was the “heart,” rather than any other, because the heart is life? So do not let yours fall asleep!
If your heart understands the children's circumstances, we hope you will connect with us to send them love and help them fulfill their mission in this life.
Community members interested in helping can contact the Fund to provide 1-to-1 companionship for Anh Tuấn or other child patients for 6 months or 1 year. Support for each child totals 12–24 million/year, requiring a monthly transfer of just 1–2 million. This is also each child's average monthly medical treatment cost.
Information about the gmđctt Fund and the One-to-One Companion Program for Children with Serious Blood Disorders: https://giacmodoichanthienthan.com/ndh
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Direct donation information:
Transfer to the Fund founder's bank account:
Tạ Minh Tuấn – 155943509 – Asia Commercial Bank (ACB) – Lê Văn Sỹ Branch, Ho Chi Minh City.
Transfer reference: Họ và tên_Sđt_Hỗ trợ bệnh nhi mắc các bệnh hiểm nghèo về máu.
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Gmđctt Fund contact information:
Hotline: 037 983 2818 (Ms. Mai Loan) or 0898.101.555 (Mr. Đại Lộc)
Website: http://giacmodoichanthienthan.com/
Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/giacmodoichanthienthan
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Information about Light Charity – an operational resource for the Gmđctt Fund:
Hotline: 0817 20 42 04 (Ms. Thảo)
Email: lightcharity.com@gmail.com
Website: https://lightcharity.com/
Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/LightCharity.org
On behalf of the Gmđctt Fund Executive Board,
Ambassador Như Ý extends heartfelt gratitude!