On September 30, Dantri reporters visited Ly Thi Phoi and presented her family with a symbolic certificate for VND 335,371,049 (USD 12,900) donated by readers to support her treatment.
The money had been contributed through Dantri as of 10.20 am on September 30, just over a day after the newspaper published a report on Phoi's difficult circumstances.
Given the urgency of her condition, Dantri transferred the entire amount to her family so they could pay hospital fees and prepare for surgery.
A Dantri reporter and Bach Mai Hospital doctors present the symbolic cheque for VND 335.371 million donated by readers to Phoi (Photo: Ngo Phuong Anh).
Phoi still looked tired, but her eyes showed relief.
“At a time when my family had no idea where to turn, Dantri, its readers and doctors at Bach Mai Hospital stepped in to help me raise the money for heart surgery. I am grateful to everyone who has given me another chance to live and return to my children. I will never forget this kindness,” Phoi said through tears.
Ly Thi Phoi, born in 1987, is a Dao ethnic minority woman from Tan Uyen Commune, Lai Chau Province. She underwent surgery to replace two heart valves in 2019. Seven years later, the valves had deteriorated, leaving her with severe heart failure and requiring another operation.
After her divorce, Phoi returned to live with her elderly mother, aged 70, and her eldest daughter. On days when she felt better, she took on odd jobs to earn a small income for the family.
She was still struggling to repay more than VND 100 million in debt from her previous surgery, while the estimated VND 150 million (USD 5,800) needed for the latest operation and post-operative care was beyond her means.
Her heart condition continued to worsen. She suffered from breathlessness, severe fatigue and swollen legs, and sometimes had to sit upright simply to breathe. Doctors determined that she needed surgery as soon as possible during the current hospital admission.
With no money to pay for treatment, the mother, who desperately wanted to see her children grow up, had even asked to leave hospital.
More than a day after Dantri published her story, donations from readers arrived, giving her the means to continue treatment at a critical moment.
A confident, joyful smile on Ly Thi Phoi's face (Photo: Huong Hong).
Nguyen Duy Tuan, a doctor at the Department of Internal Cardiology and Heart Failure and Transplantation at the Institute of Cardiology, Bach Mai Hospital, told Dantri that Phoi's operation was expected to take place early next week.
“She is currently receiving intensive medical treatment. Tomorrow morning, she will be transferred to the cardiac surgery department,” Tuan said.
