In mid-November, MCF Founder Helen Boyle was galvanized into action upon finding out that a grade 4 migrant teacher – Yang Xiaoyun, 33, was suffering Stage 3 Breast Cancer that needed immediate treatment. MCF Manager Lorna Snuggs promptly social-media-ed a poster asking for urgent help.
And help came!
Thanks to a substantial donation from Roundabout, Yang has already begun her chemotherapy treatments. Others have generously given funds to support the family of seven, including the eight-year-old daughter who is in Hebei, being taken care of by her four grandparents. Being a migrant worker, Yang has no access to Beijing healthcare or regular checkups, which is why her cancer continued to advance, undetected and unabated. She has grown weak and had to stop teaching, necessitating that her husband interrupt his job to take care of her. For his pains, he was let go
It is a tragic story that has touched many and inspired more to give. “There but for the grace of the universe, go I,” is a phrase that resonates strongly as the local expat community as well as foreign donors continue to respond.
Much more is needed, however. The chemotherapy and ensuing operation have a price tag of 400,000 RMB (40K in British Sterling), more than migrant workers earn in several lifetimes of working.
Yang and those she supports need your help more than ever. Please spread the word during this time of giving.
Lydia