Tran Thi Cam Tu receives treatment at the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion in Hanoi.
On May 15, Dantri Newspaper, in collaboration with the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, visited and presented VND 341,660,849 to the family of Tran Thi Cam Tu, a 19-year-old leukaemia patient.
After her story was published, Dantri readers donated to the newspaper's charity fund. The full amount has been transferred to her mother's account.
According to Tu's mother, Tran Thi Tuyen, the family has received more than VND 250 million in additional donations from benefactors through hospital visits and her bank account. This brings the total amount of financial support to nearly VND600 million.
"My family sincerely thanks Dantri, its readers, generous donors, and the doctors, nurses, and social workers at the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion for supporting us. This funding could save Cam Tu's life, and we're deeply grateful," Tuyen emotionally said.
Tran Thi Tuyen takes care of her daughter at the hospital.
Ly Thi Hao, Head of the institute's Social Work Department, shared an update on Tu's condition: "She has successfully undergone a bone marrow transplant and is responding well. Her health is stable, and she is expected to be discharged temporarily next week and return for follow-up appointments."
Cam Tu was diagnosed with leukaemia in mid-2024, on the same day she received her university acceptance letter from Vinh University in Nghe An Province.
Her mother recalled that Tu began complaining of fatigue in early 2024. The family believed it was due to her intense focus on preparing for her high school graduation exams. Lacking financial resources, they did not take her for a medical check-up.
"After her final exam, she came home looking exhausted. As soon as she stepped into the yard, she collapsed. Blood poured from her mouth and nose, and she fainted in my arms," Tuyen recounted.
While in the hospital, Tu anxiously awaited her exam results and medical test outcomes. The day she received her university admission notice was also the day her family was devastated by the doctors' diagnosis: acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
Dr Do Thi Thuy from the Bone Marrow Transplant Department of the institute explained, "Cam Tu was diagnosed with AML. The most effective treatment for her was an allogeneic bone marrow transplant."
Fortunately, Tu's younger brother was a suitable match and willing to donate his bone marrow to save his sister. However, the transplant cost, up to several billion dong, was far beyond the means of their farming family, whose income is barely enough to cover daily living expenses.
