Tian Qiuyue, a frail sapling swaying in the wind.
Don't be afraid, child, your father is by your side.
By reporter Wang Lisan, intern Peng Xiaozeng, and correspondent Peng Sijin
"Please save my daughter, her life is fading away." With a gaunt face, Tian Tingfeng penned an online plea titled "A Father's Heartrending Cry for Help." His 10-year-old daughter, Tian Qiuyue, was continuously vomiting blood and on the brink of death. "To save her, I am willing to sacrifice everything."
The plea was quickly re-posted on forums such as Huasheng Forum, and soon after, a spontaneous online-driven charity rescue operation quietly unfolded.
A Rare Illness Afflicts a 10-Year-Old Child: Continuous Vomiting of Blood
In the year 2000, Tian Qiuyue was born into a poor family in Baojing County, Xiangxi. From a young age, she was lively and adorable, bringing much laughter and joy to the household.
In 2005, Tian Qiuyue moved with her father Tian Tingfeng and the rest of her family to Ningbo to work. She attended a primary school in Ningbo, and though far from home, the family lived happily together.
However, happy times were fleeting, and misfortune crept in silently.
In May 2009, during a class activity, little Qiuyue began experiencing abdominal pain and vomiting. At first, Tian Tingfeng thought it was due to overeating or eating something wrong, so he didn't pay much attention. However, after a couple of days, her condition did not improve, and Tian Tingfeng rushed his daughter to the hospital. The diagnosis revealed multiple illnesses: upper esophageal bleeding, bile reflux, esophageal ulcer, chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa, liver and gallbladder inflammation, duodenal bulbitis, and more.
After being hospitalized for half a month, Tian Qiuyue was discharged. But shortly after, her condition recurred, and she started vomiting everything she ate, eventually progressing to vomiting blood. She then fell into a coma that lasted several days. Each recurrence of her illness made this already frail girl even thinner.
After being hospitalized four times in Ningbo, Tian Qiuyue's condition showed no improvement, and she was transferred to Zhejiang Children's Hospital. Not long after being discharged, Tian Qiuyue suddenly vomited blood again, and her condition worsened further.
In order to find a cure for Qiuyue, Tian Tingfeng spent a year taking his daughter to various doctors across different regions, yet still could not find a definitive treatment. Faced with mounting medical expenses, Tian Tingfeng had no choice but to transfer Qiuyue to Jishou Hospital and later to Baojing.
Tian Tingfeng stated that medical expenses had already reached over 280,000 yuan, leaving the family deeply in debt with over 200,000 yuan owed. Their only house was sold at a low price.
Adding Insult to Injury: Mother Abandons Her in Despair
When informed by the hospital that there was still no way to cure Qiuyue, her mother, Peng Wumei, suffered a complete mental breakdown. Looking at their empty, impoverished home, she chose to leave her husband and daughter, going out to work and disappearing without a trace.
Tian Tingfeng had no choice but to return with his daughter to their hometown of Pujixiang. By this time, little Qiuyue had gradually come to understand her own condition and the changes in her family. Understandingly, she told her father, "Dad, Mom has left, but you still have me. I won't see a doctor anymore. Can you bring me books from school? I can read and study while lying in bed." Watching his understanding daughter, Tian Tingfeng often wept.
Helpless Father Seeks Assistance Online: Netizens Relay Love
"Must my poor daughter just lie in bed waiting to die? No, I must save my daughter!" Wiping away his tears, Tian Tingfeng embarked on a difficult journey to save his daughter. He turned to the internet for help, fortunately finding that his plea was not drowned out by the vast amount of information online.
Netizens responded enthusiastically, with one user named "Peng Min" creating a QQ group called "Tian Qiuyue Love Relay," hoping that "more people will know about this unfortunate father and daughter, care about Qiuyue, and help her."
With the help of netizens, on October 30th, Tian Tingfeng brought little Tian Qiuyue to Beijing's Peking Union Medical College Hospital for treatment. After expert consultations, it was determined that Qiuyue suffered from a rare recurrent periodic vomiting disease. The experts informed Tian Tingfeng that the treatment for recurrent periodic vomiting would cost approximately 160,000 yuan.
Standing in the bleak autumn wind, Tian Tingfeng appeared weak and haggard. However, his daughter was his only hope. "Even if it costs my life, I must cure my daughter."
Illness may be merciless, but humanity shows love! The journalist learned that many kind-hearted individuals have generously donated. Nevertheless, as of press time, the donations collected are still far from covering the high medical expenses. A frail sapling is still swaying in the wind, at risk of wilting at any moment. Please lend a helping hand and use your kindness to save the adorable little Qiuyue. If you wish to help her, please donate to the account below. You may also call our newspaper hotline at 0731-84329525.
1. Baojing County Hope Project Special Account
Bank: Agricultural Bank of China, Baojing County Branch, Hunan Province
Account Number: 18-865901040007794
Account Name: Baojing County Accounting Center
Purpose: To assist the sick girl Tian Qiuyue