19 May 2007

There is a beautiful, but very sick little boy at Blue Sky Healing Home, that is urgently awaiting life saving surgery. His name is Tian you and he is two years old. Tian You was abandoned at birth because he was born with cloaca exstrophy (bladder born on the outside), which is a very rare birth defect, as well as no anal opening, inguinal hernia, genitals that need repair and reconstruction, and only one kidney. It is incredible that in this condition he is not only alive but is a playful and active toddler. His liveliness hides the fact that every day his life is at risk.

Tian You arrived at Blue Sky Healing Home aged just 5 days old, and has undergone various surgeries - both here in Beijing and also in Singapore. The doctors are all in agreement that his case is a very hard and complicated one. His bladder remains exposed and he needs daily catheterization, both of which make him very susceptible to life threatening infections. His solitary kidney has already suffered damage and there is a definite possibility that he could go into renal failure.

Despite the best efforts of the previous surgeons, the complexity of his condition requires the expertise of Dr John P. Gearhart and his team, based at Johns Hopkins Children's Center in the USA, who have had experience treating over 80 of these rare cases. Referred to us by other pediatric surgeons and the Bladder Exstrophy Association in USA, Dr Gearhart is willing to carry out the surgery and has generously agreed to waive his fees but the hospital costs are unavoidable and at this point are estimated at USD $100000 for the first stage of repair, providing there are no major complications.

Blue Sky Healing Home is a small foster home in Beijing China, that cares for orphans with medical needs by arranging for and funding surgeries. Most of our surgeries are carried out in China but the severity of Tian You's condition makes him an exceptional case. This is not our usual way of approaching our children's medical needs but we want to give him the best opportunity for life that we can and we recognise that this sum is beyond our own means.  

Therefore, we need your help to give Tian You a chance of life.

Kindly consider making a donation to help us pay for his medical fees at Johns Hopkins Children's Center. With the kind assistance of Children's Hope International, a licensed, not-for-profit 501(C)(3) (USA) adoption and humanitarian agency, donations can be made online and will be forwarded directly to the hospital to pay for Tian You's fees. Please go to CHI's webpage http://orphan.childrenshope.net/Make-a-Donation.186.0.html and click on Category "Medical" and "China" and then go to page 2.   Tian You is listed under Emergency Surgeries. Indicate again in the comment box that the donation is for Fu Tian You . Please also email tianyou@blueskyhealinghome.org to let us know that you have made a donation. CHI will issue a tax receipt for your donation. Donations can also be made by US checks. For more information on Tian You, please visit his webpage at www.blueskyhealinghome.org/futianyou.htm.

On behalf of Tian You, thank you for considering to help save his life.  

Tania Suhandinata

Founder, Blue Sky Healing Home, Beijing, CHINA