The 39-year-old father from Song Vang commune, Quang Nam province, explained that his 13-year-old daughter, Dinh Thi Bao Luu, was admitted to the hospital in early March 2025 for chemotherapy and radiation therapy to treat stage three leukemia. After only a few months of hospitalization, seeing his daughter grow increasingly frail and pale, Lam felt heartbroken and overwhelmed.

"My wife and I are both farmers. Since my daughter's diagnosis, I've stayed at the hospital to care for her, only working odd jobs when she's allowed to come home for a few days after a round of treatment," he said.

With their income almost non-existent, the 39-year-old father spends many sleepless nights fearing the loss of his child.

13-year-old Dinh Thi Bao Luu, from Song Vang commune, Quang Nam province, undergoing leukemia treatment at Da Nang Maternity and Children's Hospital on 23/8/2025. Photo: Courtesy of the family.

Lam recounted that in late February, Bao Luu developed a high fever lasting several days, accompanied by a rash and bruises all over her body. The family took her to Hoa Vang Hospital, and she was later transferred to Da Nang Maternity and Children's Hospital for a bone marrow biopsy. When the doctor informed him that his daughter had acute myeloid leukemia—a highly malignant form of blood cancer—and that "with the best treatment, she might live for one or two more years," Lam was devastated. Thoughts raced through the mind of the family's breadwinner, and he pleaded with the doctor to save his daughter, promising to find the money for treatment, no matter the cost.

"Just recently, she was healthy and playful, helping with her younger sibling and her parents at home. How could she now be near death? How are my wife and I supposed to go on?" the father choked back tears.

After composing himself and listening to the doctor's instructions, Lam returned home to pack their belongings and prepare for his daughter's hospitalization. He instructed his wife to stay home and care for their youngest child, who was only a few months old. The couple exchanged tearful glances, their family already struggling with a combined monthly income of only 7-8 million VND. Now, with both of them unable to work and their daughter seriously ill, they had no choice but to borrow money to cover the medical expenses.

In early March, Bao Luu began her first round of high-dose chemotherapy. Her body reacted violently, with a prolonged high fever fluctuating between hot and cold, and constant vomiting that prevented her from eating or drinking, leading to rapid weight loss. Watching his daughter's long, black hair fall out in clumps and eventually being shaved off after over a month of treatment, Lam suppressed his grief, comforting her in her hospital bed: "Try to get through these treatments, and you'll be home soon. I'll take care of you, and you'll be beautiful again in no time."

After three rounds of chemotherapy, the 13-year-old girl grew weaker, with her skin peeling and developing sores on her hands and feet. She drifted in and out of consciousness. Lam stayed by her side through sleepless nights, caring for her while desperately trying to find ways to afford her medication.

During the more than five months since her diagnosis, Bao Luu has been able to return home three times, for a few days each time. Lam used these opportunities to work odd jobs, from construction work and motorbike taxis to loading and unloading goods, scraping together what little money he could for her next round of treatment. "But it's still not enough to save my daughter. I've had to borrow over one hundred million VND from everyone I know. We're fortunate that benefactors have been helping us with meals at the hospital," the 39-year-old father shared.

As August drew to a close and a new treatment plan approached, Lam searched for online work and hourly jobs near the hospital, hoping to earn enough for the treatment and a few cartons of milk to nourish his daughter.

"My little girl is between life and death, and I will do whatever it takes to save her," Luu's father declared.

Aiming to inspire hope in children facing difficult circumstances, the Hy Vong Foundation has partnered with Ong Mat Troi to launch the Mat Troi Hy Vong program. Every contribution from the community offers a ray of hope for the nation's future generations. Readers can support the program here:

Program Name: Ten cua ban - Mat troi Hy vong

Program ID: 195961

Nga Thanh