Helen first met Li Xiaoqing in December 2017, when she became aware of the little girl’s illness and how her family was struggling to cope with the financial burden of healthcare on top of the emotional strain of their child’s battle for life.
At only fourteen years old, Xiaoqing has been battling liver cancer, an extremely rare condition to be found in children. Due to the severity and rarity of the condition, her parents have struggled financially to cope with the treatments needed for Xiaoqing. However, MCF has been working alongside the doctors and family members to ensure that financial barriers will not limit her ability to receive care. In addition, Helen has been visiting Xiaoqing in the hospital so as to personally monitor her progress as well as get to know her better.
“Her doctors are confident that the chemotherapy is working, she is now able to eat, is less fatigued, and is embarking on a three-month course of medicine. There is hope that her recovery will be sufficient enough to return to school in the fall.”
Li Xiaoqing is a remarkable child in so many respects. Despite her diagnosis, Xiaoqing’s attitude has been mature and optimistic. From the very beginning of her radiation treatments, Helen has noted that her attitude is one of ‘accepting what she appreciates as necessary.’ Three sessions of chemotherapy later, and this has not changed. On July 7th, Helen was able to visit Xiaoqing at her home rather than the hospital room where she had been based for weeks. Her condition was described as ‘much improved’ and it could confidently be said that ‘there was an optimistic air about the future.’
Li Xiaoqing’s recovery had been aided by many generous donors both big and small, and means that Xiaoqing can make the most of her bright future, which includes going back to school. However, this proves a new challenge for the family as both Xiaoqing and her sister, Xiaomeng, will hopefully return to school in September but their school fees total approximately 9900¥ per term which, along with Xiaoqing’s medical treatment, represents a barrier to them accessing a valuable, and much longed for, education.
Helping with this MCF project not only supports Li Xiaoqing’s recovery but also her and her sister Xiao Meng’s schooling for the upcoming semester to help get the family back on track after a grueling twelve months.
She is receiving treatment and is doing well.
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