Prior to his surgery, Jiayuan suffered from serious health problems.

Post-surgery: Jiayuan is now happy, healthy and ready for adoption.

CHINA - His large dark eyes and tight grip were a sharp contrast to his pale face and weakened frame. Born with congenital heart disease and abandoned by his parents, ten-month-old Jiayuan faced a grim future.

"In poor areas of China, parents know they cannot afford the corrective surgery and care necessary to give their baby a chance at a healthy life," said an OBI China staff member. "Abandoning their child at a hospital gate or front door of an orphanage seems like the only choice."

Jiayuan was placed in the care of the Huhhot Welfare House, however the seriousness of his heart condition caused him to suffer from poor nutrition in addition to other serious problems such as anemia, a lung infection and digestive complications.

When OBI staff in Beijing heard about Jiayuan’s situation they were immediately moved by his story and ordered a series of medical treatments to begin improving his health. Within a few weeks, Jiauyan was ready for surgery and on December 1, 2005, underwent a successful operation to correct his heart defect.

When OBI staff visited Jiayuan one week later, they found his condition much improved.

"We were greeted by a lively infant with ruddy cheeks, cheerfully crawling toward us," said an OBI staff member. "His once hollowed eyes sparkled with life!"

"Please thank the donors who made this possible," said one of Jiayuan’s caregivers. "They have brought health to this baby."

In addition to funding heart surgeries such as Jiayuan’s, OBI continues to sponsor cleft lip and palate and other specialized surgeries as well as host free medical clinics in impoverished provinces throughout China. Last month alone, over 5,000 residents in Henan, Shandong and Hunan provinces received free medical check-ups and medicine, while 41 children received cleft lip and palate surgeries.

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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