One such child is 11-year-old Nguyen Chanh Gia Bao, who has been battling thalassemia since he was two. For nearly 10 years, Bao has required regular blood transfusions one to two times a month, spending more time in hospitals than in school.

Nguyen Chanh Gia Bao receives monthly blood transfusions. Photo: Provided by the family

His family, with an unstable income from freelance work, often struggled to afford his medical expenses. A bone marrow transplant was the only solution, according to doctors. However, the high cost, particularly for the isolation room required for the procedure, was not covered by insurance. Thanks to partial support from the Sun of Hope program, the transplant was performed after a match was found with Bao’s sister.

At the end of April, Bao was discharged in good health, bringing immense joy to his family. "For 10 years, my son lived on blood from others," said Cai Thi Van, Bao's mother. "I am incredibly grateful to the doctors who gave him a chance at life, a future no longer dependent on the hospital."

Over the past six months, the Sun of Hope program has assisted 233 children in hospitals across the country. This includes 15 bone marrow transplants, 4 organ transplants, and other surgical and treatment costs, totaling over 6.5 billion VND.

Medical equipment donated to Hue Central Hospital. Photo: UNIQLO Vietnam

In addition to aiding children, the program donated seven pieces of medical equipment, including infusion pumps, syringe pumps, and patient monitors, to Hue Central Hospital, worth almost 200 million VND. Akiyama Naoki, General Director of UNIQLO Vietnam, a sponsor of the program, shared, "We hope this equipment will provide doctors with better resources to care for their patients."

Dr. Chau Van Ha, Deputy Director of the Pediatrics Center at Hue Central Hospital, explained, "The center receives many critical cases transferred from neighboring provinces. Treating these cases requires extended stays, specialized medications, and high-quality antibiotics, which need to be administered precisely. Previously, the lack of equipment hampered treatment. Thanks to this donation, we can ensure accurate and timely medication delivery, improving treatment effectiveness and greatly benefiting our patients."

A representative of the Vietnam Insurance Association (right) collaborates with the Hope Foundation to support children undergoing bone marrow transplants at Hue Central Hospital. Photo: Quynh Anh

The Sun of Hope program's success is due to the support of various organizations and businesses: Thien Tam Fund - VinGroup, Vietnam Exhibition Fair Center JSC (VEFAC), Phenikaa Group, Vietnam Insurance Association, SonKim Land, UNIQLO Vietnam, and thousands of VnExpress readers.

In 2025, the program aims to support 1,000 children with serious and rare diseases, focusing on organ and bone marrow transplants. This year, the program expands its support to include children with rare diseases requiring long-term, high-cost treatment, such as nephrotic syndrome, pneumonia, and Japanese encephalitis. The maximum support per case ranges from 30 to 100 million VND, after deducting health insurance coverage. The age limit for recipients has also been raised from 16 to 18.

Every contribution from the community is a beacon of hope for the nation's future. Readers can support the program here.

Program Name: Your Name - Sun of Hope

Program ID: 195961

Quynh Anh