Dear friends, I am fundraising to urgently cover the cost of lifesaving treatment for Miao Miao, a little girl abandoned by her family and living with a rare genetic condition. Her story has deeply resonated with me. I hope by sharing her journey, it will touch your heart as it did mine and inspire you to make even a small difference.

Miao (Nickname) is a 9 year old Chinese girl living with osteopetrosis (marble bone disease). It causes abnormal bone and bone marrow function leading to anaemia, bony deformities and blindness among others.

She was abandoned at a remote monastery in rural southern China by her family at the age of one. For the past 8 years she endured hunger, pain and fear as she slowly went blind - all the while waiting for her family to return, and they never did.

In October 2024, community volunteers discovered her living with severe malnutrition, suffering from complications of her condition with ascites, poor mobility and skin infections and in need of urgent medical attention. At 9 years old, she weighed and looked like a 2 year old. Despite her poor physical condition, she held the hand of the volunteer and told her that she wanted to live.

The volunteers mobilized resources and relevant government agencies to transfer her first to the Guangzhou state paediatric centre, and subsequently to Beijing under the care of a leading paediatrician and his team experienced in managing osteopetrosis.

Miao is currently undergoing inpatient treatment to stabilize her complications while being evaluated for bone marrow transplant. While not a cure, it will halt further complications and provide her with the best quality of life possible. Unfortunately, with limited social welfare support, the cost of her treatment- including transplant and acute care, is approximate 200,000 AUD.

All of us captivated by her story have mobilized to raise fund for her urgent treatment. I hope to raise 20% of her treatment cost. I have also committed to support her ongoing rehabilitation costs.

Please give her a fighting chance by sharing this post and fund raising link and contribute in whatever way you. Together, we can work to deliver her a little christmas miracle - a chance to experience a life no longer defined by loneliness and pain, but by warmth, love and hope.

Thank you for your support.