With savings depleted, desperate Bintulu mum seeks donations for son’s second liver transplant in China

BINTULU (May 22): A Bintulu mother is urgently appealing for donations to help finance a second liver transplant for her young son Gonzalez Yiu, who suffers from Type II autoimmune hepatitis and end-stage liver disease.

Gonzalez, who has been battling the condition since he was six months old, is now one year and eight months.

His mother Viviana Thomas said the estimated cost of the transplant and treatment at Renji Hospital in Shanghai, China is RM225,000.

“We’ve exhausted all our savings on essential supplies, medical treatment, and traveling back and forth to the hospital.

“This is our last hope. We want to keep fighting for our son’s life,” she said when contacted by Utusan Borneo.

Gonzalez, the youngest of two children, underwent his first liver transplant in March last year.

Viviana was the donor, but complications soon followed and the toddler’s liver has begun to deteriorate.

For the second transplant, Gonzalez’s father Yiu Kuok Ling will donate part of his liver.

“My only wish is to see my son healthy and living a normal life like other children,” said Viviana, adding that they have been based at University Malaya Medical Centre (PPUM) in Kuala Lumpur since March for ongoing monitoring.

In a recent Facebook post, Biliary Atresia Malaysia Association (Bama) confirmed that, in collaboration with PPUM, they have partnered with the Nanyang Press Foundation to support the family’s medical mission.

“All required documentation with the hospital in China has been finalised, and the process is expected to take about a month.

“We hope young Gonzalez can be flown to China as soon as possible, with the help of public and organisational support,” said the post.

Those wishing to contribute to Gonzalez’s medical fund can donate to Yayasan Nanyang Press (OCBC Bank: 701-120679-6) using the reference Gonzalez Yiu.

For more information, contact Viviana on 010-7661816.