CHINA :: A miracle for Yong!

We believe in miracles! 

Within 24 hours of our post about Yong's needs, our partners at Love Without Boundaries informed us that the full $100,000 needed for his surgery had been raised! We are so happy to hear that he will receive the care that he so desperately needs. Thank you to everyone who shared our post within their networks. 

That's the power of connections!

CHINA :: 100,000 angels for Yong

Connections. That’s what The Red Thread Promise is all about. It is the root of the Chinese proverb from which we take our name and the cornerstone of our work.

• It’s that instant attachment you have to a child in great need, no matter what country they call home.
• It’s the heavy weight on your heart that can only be lifted when that child’s needs are met, no matter how extensive.
• It’s the heights we go to together, ensuring that we are part of the solution for this child, offering hope for the best life possible.

Connections also allow us to come together to solve problems, forging partnerships with other organizations and medical specialists. Through these partnerships, we capitalize on our individual strengths for the collective good.

In the case of this post, the collective good has a name, and it is YONG.

Only a week ago we met Yong through Love Without Boundaries, one of our partners in China. He is a sweet, handsome 5-year-old living in Guizhou. As you can see by the photographs, he has a large facial tumor that is growing rapidly and has recently begun to impact his ability to swallow and chew. While this brings its own set of challenges, the greatest threat at this time is that, at the current rate of growth, the tumor will soon close off this young boy’s airway.

Eating is a challenge

Yong has already received an MRI in his home province and a biopsy of the mass. Thankfully the tumor is benign, but the risks to his health from its rapid growth are grave. Both surgeons and radiologists have determined that an aggressive course of action must be taken to save Yong’s life that involves a series of complex and expensive surgeries. Many of his facial nerves have been massively stretched and the blood supply feeding the tumor are some of the biggest challenges during the operation.

At the hospital

Charming the nurses

Although many hospitals in both China and the US have been approached, none have been able to donate their services due to the intricate nature of the procedure. But there is hope. Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles has agreed to perform the initial operation. However, due to the magnitude of the procedure, his medical costs will be steep.

How do you put any price on the life of an innocent child?

Yong will need an army of angels to come together to fund the medical care he so desperately needs: 100,000 angels to be exact. The Red Thread Promise has agreed to be one of those angels and we invite you to join us in raising the $100,000 needed to cover the American surgeons’ and hospital fees. Together we celebrate that over $30,000 has already been raised for his care..

After the biopsy

Love Without Boundaries is working with the Chinese government to secure his medical visa so he can travel to the US and be seen in Los Angeles on March 1st! Yes, that is less than 2 weeks away. We’ve all seen the miracles that occur when people give from their hearts. Today YOU can be one of Yong’s angels.

If you would like to support Yong, donations can be made to The Red Thread Promise via PayPal or check. Please see the donation information in the left sidebar. Be sure to put his name in the memo line.

More importantly, please share this post with your friends, family, co-workers, employers, churches, civic groups and any others with a heart for children. Help us spread the word about Yong's critical need through your connections as well. Together, we can raise the additional funds necessary for his care, revealing that red thread of destiny.

THANK YOU for your support and prayers and this little guy.

CHINA :: ORPHAN UPDATE - Hua, then and now

January 2008

March 2008

2008

May 2008

December 2008

June 2009

October 2010

Here is our handsome boy, Hua, from Love Without Boundaries. Once a tiny premature baby, he has grown into a healthy almost-3-year-old.

Hua was born prematurely during the incredibly harsh winter of January 2008 in the Anhui Province of the People’s Republic of China. He weighed only 1kg (2.2 lbs) when he was born and was in need of serious medical treatment so that he could learn to eat on his own, gain weight and thrive.

The Red Thread Promise teamed with Angel Covers and Love Without Boundaries to provide Hua the intensive care hospitalization and round-the-clock care he needed to survive. Hua remained in critical condition for several months, receiving special formula and specialized care that our partnership was able to provide.

Due to this early intervention, Hua thrived. He learned to suck on his own and take all feedings by bottle. He was eventually released from the hospital and has been growing like a weed ever since.

His birthday is coming up in January 2011 where he will celebrate in the orphanage (the actual date is unknown). Thank you to everyone who supported him in his infancy. He is going to make a great addition to a special family some day.

The Red Thread Promise is proud to provide the medical treatment that these little ones need— procedures and care that they would not otherwise have access to. We hope that you will find it in your heart to support our mission.

Look at That Smile!

We received this photo of Hua, the premature baby that had been abandoned last January. We were happy to be able to provide for his medical needs. What an incredible smile! Check the blog archives for Hua, and you'll see what he looked like earlier in this year.

CHINA :: Ping Continues to Struggle

We've heard from Ping's CWI, and he is very sick. He does not have a thymus, and has a reduced immune system. He struggles to fight off infections. He's currently in the hospital and doctors are doing everything they can. They've said it is possible Ping won't survive. Ping's breathing is very labored, and it sounds like he has fluid in his lungs.

CHINA :: Ping Needs Prayers

We've been notified that Ping is very ill, and back in the hospital. We do not know if this is related to his heart problem, or an illness. Please keep Ping in your prayers.

CHINA :: Ping Continues to Recover

Ping continues to make progress, and he we're hearing that he may go to a special foster home. Hoping to post more about Ping and the family that will be caring for him, soon!

CHINA :: Ping Update

Ping is doing well and we hope he'll be released from the hospital soon.

CHINA :: Please Keep Ping in Your Prayers

We received this update from Love Without Boundaries on September 17, 2008. Ping had heart surgery yesterday. The doctors had planned to do a complete repair, but during the surgery, they found that his heart defect was more complicated than they originally thought. The surgical plan was altered. One part of the repair was completed yesterday. Ping will need another surgery, sometime in the future, to complete the repairs to his heart. Please keep our special boy in your thoughts and prayers. Ping is at risk for infection, due to a low immunity condition that he has, in addition to his heart defect. We will update you with further information when we have it.

CHINA :: Ping Will Have Surgery Tuesday, September 16th

We just received information that baby Ping is scheduled for heart surgery tomorrow, on September 16!!

As you recall, Ping has severe Tetralogy of Fallot. We sent an initial email out about Ping on July 30th. The Red Thread needed to raise approximately $3,000 to help this child receive the care he so desperately needs. The Red Thread is proud to announce that $3200 was raised!! So, thanks to all of you, our wonderful supporters, this little boy has a chance to live!!

Please pray for a successful surgery. We will keep you posted.

CHINA :: Our Latest Angel: Hua

Hua was born, prematurely, during the incredibly harsh winter of 2008, in the Anhui Province of China. Hua weighed 1 kg (2.2 pounds). The Red Thread Promise teamed with Angel Covers and Love Without Boundaries to provide Hua the intensive care hospitalization he needed, to survive. Hua remained in critical condition for several months, and is now learning to suck so that he can eat on his own and thrive. We estimate that the cost to provide for all of Hua's needs before he is placed in a foster home will be $3,000. If you would like to send a contribution for the care of Hua, please use our Pay Pal Account and indicate Hua.