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!

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Be a part of OBI's ongoing medical relief efforts by making an online contribution to help those suffering from extreme poverty and sickness.

 

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