Transforming a Chinese Woman's Future
 A
tumor began forming on the left side of Xiaoli’s small face when she
was only 10 years old. The little girl’s parents sought out medical
help but none could be found. Even if there had been opportunity, this poor
family would not have been able to afford it. As farmers living in a remote
village, they only made the equivalent to 350 USD every year – just
enough to cover daily expenses and Xiaoli’s elder brother’s
tuition. The tumor spread.
Xiaoli had lived with the daily torment of the villagers making fun of
her. Over time the tumor had grown and taken up the entire left side of
her face. Friends were few. Xiaoli lived a lonely existence taking care
of her sickly mother while her father worked in the fields.
All or Nothing
Last June life began to change when Xiaoli’s parents became desperate
to see their daughter well. They sold everything that was worth something
and made the journey to Beijing. The family visited the doctor only to
be told the surgery would cost more than what they could make in 15 years.
Xiaoli’s father tried to persuade his suffering daughter to give
up and go home; however, she was convinced someone would help. Clinging
to her dream, Xiaoli and her parents became beggars.
Hope Fulfilled
While begging on the street one day, Xiaoli came across a sympathetic
elderly man. He decided to help her and soon raised enough money to be
able to sponsor her surgery through Operation Blessing! The tumor was
removed just in time. When examining Xiaoli, a surgeon commented, “If
the tumor had not been cut out in time, she would be in great danger because
it had invaded the cranial cavity.” The young woman underwent surgery
in November at the Peking University School of Stomatology (mouth and
teeth).
When Operation Blessing China staff saw Xiaoli two weeks later, all traces
of the tumor were gone. Although her life has been spared, she’s
still on the road to recovery. Xiaoli’s left upper teeth were pulled
during surgery and her left eye has not set into place yet. Her sunken
face will also need a skin grafting in the future. But for now Xiaoli’s
family have returned home to farming and relieved to have their daughter
alive and well.
China’s Medical Program Thrives
Operation Blessing China also took part in transforming many other lives
through medical care last year. In just six months, 15,000 people received
free medical services during 30 missions. In addition, 20 patients received
surgery for various reasons. Also, from March through December, 91 children
and adults had cleft lip or cleft palate surgery. We thank you for helping
us in prescribing life to China’s poor men, women and children.
There’s more to do!
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