Chúng tôi tìm đến căn nhà tạm nằm khuất sâu trong con hẻm nhỏ ở ấp Quang Minh, xã Quới An, nơi hai mẹ con đang tá túc nhờ người thân. Căn phòng chật hẹp, mái tôn thấp, nóng hầm hập, là nơi họ cầm cự qua những ngày bệnh tật bủa vây.
The thin woman is Mrs. Nguyen Thi Oanh (born in 1974), and the pale girl sitting leaning against the wall is Nguyen Thi Hong Tham (born in 1997). Both have stage 3 cancer, and are fighting against the disease every day.
Giọng yếu ớt, bà Oanh kể, những năm đầu thập niên 2010, hạnh phúc gia đình đổ vỡ. Một mình bà đưa con gái lên TP Vĩnh Long (trước sáp nhập) thuê trọ sinh sống, bắt đầu cuộc mưu sinh đầy chật vật.
Thắm xin làm việc tại một cơ sở y tế, còn bà Oanh nhận đồ gia công về may ngay trong phòng trọ. Cuộc sống thiếu trước hụt sau nhưng hai mẹ con nương tựa nhau, chắt chiu từng đồng với hy vọng một ngày yên ổn.
In September 2023, Ms. Oanh was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. "When the doctor said the disease, I was shocked, unable to believe it. The treatment cost to date is nearly 300 million VND, all of which is savings and borrowed money," Ms. Oanh choked up.
Khi ấy, con gái bà vẫn còn đi làm, gồng gánh chi phí sinh hoạt và phụ mẹ chữa bệnh. “Tôi chỉ mong mình sớm khỏi để con đỡ khổ, nào ngờ chưa kịp thì tai họa lại trút xuống đầu con”, bà Oanh nói, mắt đỏ hoe.
In early 2025, Ms. Tham was diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer. From being the only support, she became a patient. "At that time, I was stunned, not knowing where to cling to," the mother recounted.
From the beginning of the year to October 2025, Tham's treatment costs exceeded 200 million VND. Ms. Oanh sold everything left, borrowed nearly 200 million VND from relatives and then brought her child to live in her younger brother's temporary house.
In recent months, Tham's health has quickly deteriorated. Severe abdominal pain prevented her from sleeping. At night, she could only sit curled up, holding a bag of hot water, enduring pain that lasted until morning.
The doctor said we have to continue chemotherapy, but no one dares to say how many times it will last. Depending on each person's health, we don't know how the disease progresses," Ms. Oanh said, her voice trembling with fear.
Mrs. Sau Mai, a neighbor, sadly said: "Before, seeing her and her child living relying on each other was also happy. Now the diseases are piling up, looking at the child in pain but the mother is helpless, everyone who sees it cannot hold back tears.
Theo bà Mai, hàng xóm chỉ có thể giúp từng con cá, mớ rau hay vài trăm ngàn đồng. “Tiền thuốc mỗi tháng lớn quá, bà con nghèo không ai lo nổi”, bà Mai thở dài.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy - Chairwoman of the Women's Union of Quoi An commune said that the situation of Ms. Oanh and her child is particularly difficult in the locality, without land, without income, and having to be treated for cancer at the same time.
According to Ms. Thuy, the Association has mobilized and connected to support many times, but resources are very limited. "The treatment costs each month are too high, while the family is almost depleted," Ms. Thuy shared.
In the temporary house, the meal of the two mothers and children is sometimes just boiled vegetables, a small fish shared by neighbors. Amidst persistent physical pain and the amount of money for medicine that they don't know when it will stop, they can only try to live through each day.
All help for life situation LD26025, please send to Tam Long Vang Charity Social Fund - 51 Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Account number (STK) 113000000758 at Vietinbank Hoan Kiem Branch, Hanoi; Account number: 0021000303088 - at Vietcombank Hanoi Branch; Account number: 12410001122556 - at BIDV Hoan Kiem Branch.
Or contact directly Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh, Quang Minh hamlet, Quoi An commune, Vinh Long province. Or via phone number: 0901. 092. 554
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