25 May 09 - Appeal For Donation: Medical Treatment For Charmaine Lim

Who are we helping?

Charmaine Lim, a 4 year-old girl diagnosed with a rare cancer, Neuroblastoma, stage 4. The fact that the cancer had spread to her liver and bone marrow places her in a high risk category. She is fighting the disease courageously and had undergone 4 rounds of chemotherapy. She had also undergone a surgery 4 days back, to remove the tumor from her liver.

What is her story?

Doctors attending to her had given her a mere 10-20% chance of survival even after she finishes her treatment at a local hospital. However, Charmaine's chances can be significantly increased to 40-50% should she receive treatment with a drug (3F8) which is currently under clinical trial, conducted only at Memorial Sloan Kettering Caber Center (MSKCC) in NYC.

Charmaine's doctors had written MSKCC and in their reply, the center would only decide to admit Charmaine for treatment should an upfront payment of USD350,000 (~SGD500,000) be placed as a deposit. This amount excludes all other expenses that will be incurred in the course of seeking treatment in NYC.

Why are we helping?

Charmaine's mother, Ms Cynthia Lim, is a single parent who had recently given up her job to provide full-time care for Charmaine. She could not afford the cost of treatment and had appealed publically for donations.

So far (as of 22/06), the family had gathered about SGD150,000 from public donations and this sum includes their entire savings. The amount collected so far is about 30% of the targeted amount.

There is great urgency to raise the remaining funds as Charmaine has a window period to receive the 3F8 drug. The period would be somewhere between end July and early August 2009, after she had undergone her 5th chemotherapy session. Charmaine will be celebrating her 4th birthday this coming 14th July, and it is hoped that the targeted amount would be reached by then, in order to proceed with arrangements for her treatment.

How do I know that this appeal is not a spam/hoax?

Please kindly visit Charmaine's blog site and decide. The link to the blog is provided at the end of this appeal thread. However, there are hard evidences supporting the credibility of the appeal by Charmaine’s mum. Charmaine's plight had appeared on local newspapers (The Strait Times and The New Paper). Charmaine's doctor had written an open letter (posted in the blog) regarding Charmaine's diagnosis and possible treatment with 3F8. Videos and photos of Charmaine in hospital receiving chemotherapy and post-surgery are posted as well.

Charmaine at Day 3 post operation

How can I help?

Charmaine Lim's webpage: ourfiestyprincess.com
Blog site: ourfeistyprincess.blogspot.com

POSB Savings account (Cynthia Lim and Jolene, Charmaine’s Godma): 249-28205-7
Paypal (Jolene): eateateat_82@hotmail.com

We want to acknowledge your act of kindness

Links

Charmaine Lim's webpage: ourfiestyprincess.com
Blog site: ourfeistyprincess.blogspot.com

Chinese New paper

What our people say

I have a very supportive boss and was given a lot of opportunities to learn and to develop myself.

As part of a dynamic team, I enjoy good working relationship with my fellow colleagues.

Cheryl lum
Manager, Billing Services