Mother calls for help for daughter

A mother in Hanoi is in need of help to treat her daughter from plastic anaemia, a deficiency of all types of blood cells caused by failed bone marrow development.

Linh and her mother in hospital

Nguyen Thi Xuyen and her husband were both farmers, but they were happy after having their first child, Nguyen Thi Linh, in 2000 and a son seven years later.

"We're poor but we worked really hard for our children's education. We want them to be able to escape poverty," she said.

In 2010, Xuyen's husband suddenly died after getting a fever. Xuyen was determined to do her best to raise the children, but misfortune continues befalling on the family.

In 2015, Linh said she was tired and rash appeared all over her body. Xuyen thought she was allergic to something but Linh's condition only worsened. Linh was diagnosed with plastic anaemia and needed bone marrow transplants as soon as possible.

Linh helps her mother with housework

Doctors at the Hospital of Haematology and Blood Transfusion said Linh's survival chance could be as high as 85-90% if they could find matching bone marrow. However, her family can't afford the VND1bn (USD45,400) treatment and her brother's marrow does not match with hers.

Xuyen now does odd jobs but even with Linh's insurance, the family is still struggling to pay the charges.

Xuyen even put their land up for sale but hasn't been able to find a buyer. Linh and her mother and brother only eat the vegetables they grow in the garden.

"I'll have to leave you. I really miss you and my brother while I was in hospital. I don't want to die, I still want to go to school and find work to help you," Linh said to her mother.

Xuyen has to bring Linh home to cut hospital fees and go with her to hospital when her condition worsens.