Hundreds of children with disabilities and serious illnesses receive free surgery and treatment.

870 children with serious illnesses and congenital malformations have received free surgery and treatment thanks to the Children's Step Up Fund. The journey of giving healthy bodies and hope to less fortunate children continues.

Over 19 years of operation (2006-2025), the Children's Step Up Charity Fund initiated by FV Hospital Ho Chi Minh City has performed surgery and treatment for 870 children with serious illnesses, congenital malformations or accidents in difficult circumstances.

Notably, these cases were operated on by world- famous and Vietnamese experts.

In early June 2025, Le Duy Quang (11 years old, residing in Xuan Thanh commune, Nghi Xuan district, Ha Tinh province) returned to FV Hospital for his first check-up after more than 2 weeks of surgery to place a humeral lengthening frame.

Mr. Le Thanh Quy (father of Duy Quang, a car mechanic who suffered from muscle atrophy in his right leg due to polio since childhood) said that since birth, Quang had a congenital heart disease and a radius defect in both arms, deformed forearms, and no thumbs on both hands.

These congenital abnormalities prevent him from being able to function normally. Quang spent his childhood in the hospital for treatment. As a result, even though he is 10 years old, he only weighs 20kg.

"I can't button my shirt or pour myself a drink. Things that are normal for other people are too difficult for me," Mr. Quy sadly shared.

Despite his disability, Duy Quang has a soul-stirring voice and a burning passion for singing folk songs. The image of the disabled boy with a gifted voice was posted on social media and received millions of likes from the online community. He also dreams of becoming a singer in the future, earning money to support his parents and younger sister.

During the past 11 years, Mr. Quy's family has never given up hope of "fixing" their son's disabled hands.

He had taken Quang to many hospitals, but a previous surgery had accidentally made his arm increasingly bent and weak. By chance, he learned about the FV Hospital's Step Up for Children Charity Fund. Mr. Quy decided to write a letter explaining his situation and feelings. Luckily, the Fund agreed to accept him and take Duy Quang to FV Hospital for treatment.

On May 20, 2025, Dr. Stéphane Guero, the world's leading hand surgeon, returned to Vietnam and directly performed surgery to straighten Duy Quang's arm.

Dr. Stéphane Guero, the world's leading hand surgeon, operated on Le Duy Quang. (Photo: VNA)

The surgery was a success. Doctors fitted a special frame to lengthen the child’s arm bone. It is expected that the bone will lengthen by about 6cm within 6 months.

After 6 months, the doctors will continue to evaluate and Dr. Stéphane Guero will perform two more surgeries for the child, including one to graft bone into the position of the lengthened arm and the next to convert the second finger into a thumb so that the child can grasp the function, making it easier to do daily activities.

This is one of 870 children with serious illnesses and disabilities in difficult circumstances who have received free surgery and treatment from FV Hospital's Children's Fund over the past 19 years.

Diseases and deformities caused by accidents or congenital diseases that are supported for surgery and treatment by the Fund include: neurological, eye, digestive, maxillofacial, urinary, vascular, orthopedic...

Dr. Stéphane Guero - known as the "hand wizard", an expert in orthopedic surgery for complex hand deformities, directly performs surgery for cases supported by the Children's Step Up Fund. (Photo: VNA)

Not only are the children treated at international standard hospitals, the Children's Step Up Fund also invites leading experts from around the world and Vietnam to directly perform surgery on them.

Among them are Dr. McKay McKinnon, an expert in craniofacial plastic surgery, giant tumors and particularly complex cases; Dr. Stéphane Guero, known as the "hand wizard" and an expert in orthopedic surgery for complex hand deformities; Dr. Jan Dirk Ferweda, a leading expert in retinal surgery for children; Dr. Phan Duc Minh Man, an expert in complex deformities surgery specializing in upper and lower limbs, Ho Chi Minh City Orthopedic and Trauma Hospital; Dr. Pham Ngoc Thach, a urological surgeon, Deputy Director of Children's Hospital 2, Ho Chi Minh City...

The journey to light the fire of unconditional love continues. The Children's Step Up Fund continues its mission of bringing healthy bodies and the best future to less fortunate children across Vietnam./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/hang-tram-tre-bi-di-tat-benh-hiem-ngheo-duoc-phau-thuat-dieu-tri-mien-phi-post1044800.vnp