Relight the Hope of Life to Women in Difficulty
‘When my life was on the verge of ending, I heard people said, Come to the hospital, don’t worry, we can help you – it felt like someone reached out to hold you and it give me hope that I would survive!’ Ms. Zhang, who lives in a remote county in Heilongjiang Province, described her special treatment experience.
In September 2023, after finishing medical mission in Heilongjiang. The United Foundation for China’s Health (UFCH) team began to follow up the results of HPV cervical cancer charity screening one by one. Ms. Zhang was among the patients in need of further treatment. It was discovered that condition was relatively urgent and required immediate medical intervention. A month later, when UFCH team was following up on Ms. Zhang’s treatment, the team learned that, due to financial problems, Ms. Zhang had not been treated.
Ms. Zhang comes from a poor household in the local countryside. Neither of her parents are able to work due to their ongoing struggle with cerebral infarctions. The family’s cost of living is mainly supported by Zhang’s income from her year-round work in the city and her brother’s local farming. After learning about Ms. Zhang’s difficult situation and her various diagnoses, Ms. Zhang met the criteria for relief from UFCH. The foundation team offered to support her medical expenses according to the rescue procedures. Soon after, Ms. Zhang went to the local hospital for the necessary cone surgery, leaving the hospital in high spirits and in good health. The following review has shown no issues.
Two and a half months later, Ms. Zhang suddenly found herself in severe pain and with a high fever. After examination at the local county hospital, she took some medicine for fever reduction and pain relief. Due to the illness Ms. Zhang was unable to move and couldn’t eat for several days. Determined to recover, Ms. Zhang contacted UFCH again for treatment advice. The following communications with the team revealed that her condition was far more serious than anticipated. The team urged Ms. Zhang not to wait any longer, and assured her that the foundation would help her get emergency treatment at one of the best hospitals in the city.
Accompanied by her family, Ms. Zhang went to one of the top 3 hospital in Harbin, where an examination revealed a 10-centimeter cyst on her ovaries and pus in her abdominal cavity. With the help of UFCH, Ms. Zhang underwent emergency surgery. It was revealed afterwards by the doctor that had she come even a day later, her life may have been in more serious danger.
During her stay in the hospital, Ms. Zhang received an encouraging message from UFCH, saying, “We are here, rest assured that you will receive the appropriate treatment”. At that moment, Ms. Zhang’s heart was filled with warmth, gratitude, and hope.
Now Ms. Zhang has been successfully discharged from the hospital, all indicators are normal, and she is recovering at home. Ms. Zhang described the treatment as a “narrow escape” from death. Now that her future is far brighter, she aspires to encourage and pass the “hope” to more people in need of help.