18 hours ago
Bintulu toddler Gonzalez Yiu just short of RM50,000 for life-saving second liver transplant in China
Gonzalez and Viviana are seen at UMMC in Kuala Lumpur while waiting for sufficient funds for the critical liver transplant.
SIBU (June 20): A fundraising campaign to enable Bintulu toddler Gonzalez Yiu to undergo a critical second liver transplant in China needs less than RM50,000 more to achieve its target of RM231,930.
His mother Viviana Thomas said as of yesterday, the campaign had collected RM183,287.25 to support the surgery and treatment at Renji Hospital in Shanghai.
Gonzalez is battling Type II autoimmune hepatitis and end-stage liver disease.
Viviana appealed for help to raise the remaining RM48,642.75 for her son —who has been battling the illness since he was six months old — to receive the life-saving treatment.
'Every passing day is critical for Gonzalez. We truly appreciate every donation and prayer from the public,' she said when contacted today.
She also shared the family's heartfelt gratitude for the support and compassion shown by the public throughout the campaign.
The total amount includes a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine worth RM6,930 to help Gonzalez, who is one year and 11 months old, breathe steadily before and after the surgery in China.
For now, Gonzalez remains under monitoring at the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) in Kuala Lumpur, while waiting for sufficient funds and assistance from the Biliary Atresia Malaysia Association (BAMA) to manage documentation and obtain Ethical Approval.
Those wishing to help ease the family's burden can channel donations through Yayasan Nanyang Press (OCBC Bank 701-120679-6) with the reference Gonzalez Yiu.
Donors who require tax exemption receipts can complete the online form and upload proof of payment via:
On May 22, Viviana told Utusan Borneo the family was left with no choice but to appeal to the public for help as their savings had been exhausted on essential needs, treatments, and repeated hospital trips.
The youngest of two siblings, Gonzalez underwent his first liver transplant in March last year, but suffered serious complications when the new liver —donated by his mother — began to fail.
For the second transplant, Gonzalez's father Yiu Kuok Ling will donate part of his liver.
For further information, contact Viviana on 010-7661816.
Related report: Gonzalez Yiu lead liver transplant Renji Hospital Viviana Thomas
