On June 3, Dantri/Dtinews reporters presented VND 259.3 million (approximately USD 10,000) to the family of Chu Van Duc, born in 1991, from Nam Dong Commune, Lam Dong Province.
A Dantri reporter hands over more than VND 259 million donated by readers to support the three-year-old boy suffering from two life-threatening illnesses (Photo: Hoang Huong).
The donations were contributed by Dantri/Dtinews readers and benefactors after the newspaper published an article about the family's difficult circumstances.
The full amount was transferred directly to Duc's bank account, providing crucial financial support for the treatment of his son, Chu Nguyen Anh Dat, born in 2023.
Receiving the donations, Duc said the support was an invaluable source of encouragement as the family continues its fight against Dat's eye cancer and congenital brain tumour.
"I would like to sincerely thank Dantri and benefactors from across the country for caring about and supporting our family. I truly do not know what to say beyond expressing my gratitude. This amount of money is enormous for people in our situation," he said.
According to Duc, the family has accumulated significant debts while seeking treatment for their son. Part of the donated funds will be used to repay loans taken out to cover medical expenses.
He added that the family recently spent around VND 15 million (approximately USD 580) on a prosthetic eye for Dat.
"Having the prosthetic eye has made him more confident in daily life and as he prepares to start school," Duc said.
"Although he can no longer see with that eye, the prosthesis helps him feel less self-conscious and more confident when interacting with friends and attending school."
After receiving the support, the family was able to have a prosthetic eye fitted for Dat (Photo: Hoang Huong).
Regarding his son's condition, Duc said doctors had assessed the disease as relatively stable, with no signs that the cancer cells had spread further.
Looking ahead, he plans to build a pig shed so his wife can raise livestock and generate additional income, while he continues working casual jobs to support the family's finances and fund ongoing treatment.
The father said that since Dantri published the story, numerous benefactors and local residents had come forward to help.
"Without everyone's support, we honestly do not know how we could continue paying for our son's treatment. Our family is deeply grateful to Dantri readers and all the benefactors who have stood by us," he said.
Dantri previously reported on the family's struggle after Dat was diagnosed with eye cancer and a congenital brain tumour. The severe illness forced doctors to remove one of his eyes, while his remaining eye remains at risk of losing vision if the disease progresses.
Duc, his wife and their son express heartfelt thanks to Dantri readers and benefactors for helping the family through hardship (Photo: Hoang Huong).
In an effort to save their son, Duc and his wife have repeatedly travelled from Lam Dong Province to Ho Chi Minh City for treatment. Months spent in hospitals have placed an enormous strain on the family, whose finances were already fragile.
The costs of medication, travel and long-term treatment forced the couple to borrow heavily, leaving them struggling to keep up with mounting expenses.
