A heartbreaking story... A mother and father had to face the distressing dilemma of choosing which of their twins would live, after they realised they couldn't afford to save both their babies.
The 10-month-old babies have been diagnosed with a rare disease called Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD). Without a transplant, it would be difficult for them to survive beyond the age of two.
A fund-raising page has now been set up to save these little babies.
Twin Babies Diagnosed with Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD)
The incident happened in China, and according to Shaoguan Daily, symptoms of the disease started surfacing a month after the children were born.
Older brother Kang Kang, had difficulty in breathing and had to be warded in hospital in intensive care. Soon after, the younger child, Le Le, also experienced similar issues. He was admitted to the same hospital.
Doctors diagnosed the babies with Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD) when they were five months old.
Chronic Granulomatous Disease in Children
Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD) is a type of primary immunodeficiency disease (PI) in which one group of the body’s white blood cells, called neutrophils, fails to make the hydrogen peroxide, bleach and other chemicals needed to fight bacterial and fungal infections.
CGD is not contagious — hereditary or genetic defects are the cause.
Those suffering from chronic granulomatous disease will suffer from recurrent bouts of infection due to the decreased capacity of their immune system to fight off disease-causing organisms.
Parents Can Afford to Save Only One Twin
These little babies have a better chance of survival if they receive transplants. Their parents have received the happy news from China Marrow Donor Programme, that they have found matching donors for the babies.
Unfortunately, expenses are too high for them to afford. Each transplant could cost around RMB500,000 (approximately S$99,700) and the total cost of treatment could go up to RMB1 million (approximately S$199,500).
So far, these parents have already spent around RMB400,000 (approximately S$79,800) for their babies' treatment. After borrowing money from friends and relatives, they had just enough money to save one baby.
Desperate and heartbroken, they ended up making the difficult decision. They asked their babies to draw lots to decide who among them would get the transplant and live.
Internet Comes to Help
The older child Kang Kang, ended up getting the "keep" paper.
When the twins' grandmother learned of what had happened, she was furious and opposed the very idea of choosing between the babies.
Thankfully, the China Charities Aid Foundation for Children received news of the family’s sad plight and reached out to them. They have helped these parents to start a fund-raising campaign to save both twin brothers.
Their relieved daddy Deng told Shaoguan Daily, "God didn’t give up on my twins. But they still have to fight to survive till the day of transplant.”
We sincerely hope that this family receives the help it needs. We hope and pray these children get well soon...
To donate and save the lives of these little babies, please click here.
Source: Shaoguan Daily, Mothership
Also READ: Primary Immunodeficiency Disorder in children