Hemophilia Home: Pengpeng's Story

Hemophilia Home is a nonprofit established to improve the quality of life for patients with hemophilia by collecting knowledge on hemophilia and helping destitute patients.

Pengpeng was born with a hematoncus on his head. At first we didn’t take it seriously, since we never thought it would be a bane to Pengpeng. Years later, Pengpeng became a primary student. He loved school very much, and he always talked about his friends and teachers when he had to stay at home as he needed medical treatment for the hemophilia.

Things always turned us down. Pengpeng often suffered from bruises or hematoncus, and he had to ask for sick leave frequently. He always asked me, "Dad, when can I get to school?" Sometimes, when Pengpeng was alone, he even blamed himself with tears in his eyes, "Why can’t I be as healthy as others and go to school with my friends?" At the sight of it, I felt heartbroken. How I wish I could replace him to suffer his disease!

In 2010, Pengpeng went to junior high school, and we were happy for him. Fortune is fickle, however, as Pengpeng fell down and broke his leg after it snowed. We hurriedly took him to the hospital, and the doctor said that due to Pengpeng's condition, the operation success rate would only be about 40%. We could not decide whether to continue with surgery, as Pengpeng said to me, "I want to do it, Dad, I want to stand up by myself. I know it is dangerous, but if I really fail during the surgery, please don't feel sorry for me; you will live a better life without me, and you won't have to worry about money or take care of me anymore..." At that moment, we all cried, and I could never forget that day.

As Pengpeng insisted, doctors decided to choose operation for him eventually. From the moment Pengpeng was taken into the OR, a blow of unprecedented fear inundated me. I prayed for God to save his life during his surgery. Fortunately, surgery was successful, but it will still take some time for Pengpeng to stand up by himself. He had to quit from school temporarily, but we still believe that he can stand on his own feet in the near future, and we will wait for a happy ending.

Original article was written by Zheng Liu, translated by Shishi Ma, and edited by US interns Emily Cheng and Kevin Mo.