A Brave Young 10-year old Battling to see 11

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I earnestly ask you to take the trouble to read through all of this post.

 

Today I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting a very brave, bright, intelligent, knowledgeable and captivating young man. His name is Rino, he is half Thai and speaks Thai, English and German. He is just 10 years old. Unfortunately, he may never live to see his 11th birthday. Just a few weeks ago, he was diagnosed with a very rare heart condition named Ebstein’s Anomaly. It is so rare that there has never been a case in Thailand before now. Fortunately, the pediatrician treating him studied at one of world’s top heart clinics and is thoroughly versed in the illness.

 

Rino must have a major heart operation within the next six months. Yesterday at a major Bangkok hospital, his pulse rate was measured over 24 hours and averaged 133. He is now 7 – 8 kilos underweight.

 

Rino’s father, Ritchie, is German/American who has never lived in the USA. He has lived for 10 years with his family in Koh Samui. He is a musician and composer. Since his son’s diagnosis, he has dropped everything in a major effort to raise the funds to save his son’s life. He, too, was at the lunch, and he, too, is a very brave and impressive man. He has decided that his mission in life is now to spearhead a movement to raise awareness of this unusual condition and will dedicate the rest of his life to it. Since his son’s condition became public a few weeks go, another case has been discovered in Thailand, an older young lady whose condition is worse than Rino’s. There are almost certainly more.

 

Initially, Ritchie needed to raise 2 million Baht for this very delicate heart operation. The hospital in Bangkok has generously agreed to donate half the cost. The fund raising target is therefore now Bt. 1 million to save this child’s life. But that is just a first step for Ritchie who wants to raise much more money annually so that more children can be properly diagnosed and given the promise of a full life.

 

Full details about Rino, his condition, the doctor’s assessment, those helping with small donations etc. together with bank statements of funds raised so far are available on this website –

 

http://rinosheart.wordpress.com/category/press-release-for-download/

 

Rino himself is starting a blog to keep everyone aware of what he is doing every day and how he is getting through what for others would be a huge ordeal, but which to him is just a challenge he has to meet. He is aware that the chance of full success is only 70%. He thinks that’s a pretty good chance.

 

With tj’s recent appeal for funds, I am reluctant to make another appeal. But I have promised to do my part in making sure this boy not only sees his 11th birthday but many, many others. If you can, it is easy to make a donation, however small. If not, then please spread information about this little boy’s plight. In Samui many businesses now have donation boxes for Rino. Perhaps friends with businesses might consider doing the same. The list of organisations in Samui can be found half way down this page -

 

http://rinosheart.wordpress.com/2010/08/

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this. If it is possible to have it pinned, I shall be enormously grateful.

[Guest fountainhall]

I am replying to my own post merely in an effort to keep this near the top of the posting list for a little while longer.