
Sunday, November 20, 2011
A good outcome

Thien Nhan is getting "back on his foot" following his latest round of surgeryin Hanoi. The 5-year-old is healing well and is in good spirits.
All of the 31 other boys who underwent genital surgery at the Hanoi Paediatrics Hospital have also returned home to their families. The all-volunteer surgical team, which included Italian, American and Vietnamese specialists, were pleased with the outcomes of all 32 operations.
Fundraising is now underway to raise money for another 60+ Vietnamese boys to receive surgery to repair or rebuild damaged or malformed genitals.
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Monday, November 7, 2011
Thien Nhan Recovering

Two days ago Thien Nhan, now 5, underwent his third surgery to repair his genitals, which were badly damaged when he was abandoned at birth in the jungle near Danang and mauled by wild animals. His first two surgeries were performed in the US and in Italy.
It is expected that Thien Nhan will require two more surgeries, plus lifelong hormone replacement therapy to help him to mature normally. He is a bright, active and very determined little boy, who loves video games, cake and playing with his brothers.
Thien Nhan's big dream is to get a high-tech, "robot" prosthetic limb that will allow him to walk and run. Due to his very short leg-stump, previous prosthetics have proven unusable. He moves around by hopping on his left leg, which is hard as steel.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Thien Nhan Ready for Surgery
Thien Nhan is in hospital in Hanoi, ready for surgery today. Dr. DeCastro, the Italian surgeon who performed Thien Nhan's genital reconstruction last year, will perform a procedure to enlarge the skin around the boy's groin, so that prosthetic testicles can be put in place during a follow-up surgery next year. Today's procedure is expected to take around four hours.
"Thien Nhan is worried about this surgery," admitted his mom, Mai Anh, yesterday. "He remembers how much the last surgery hurt and is tired. Nobody likes being in hospital. We all feel worried and tired." Thien Nhan turned five last July. He won fans around the world after he miraculously survived being dumped in the jungle in Central Vietnam at birth and horrifically mauled by wild animals.
This November, Dr. DeCastro and a team of Italian and Vietnamese specialists will perform surgeries on 32 little boys with genital deformities in Hanoi. Because everyone involved in this amazing endeavour is volunteering their time, these procedures will cost an average of just US$1,500 per child. These life-changing surgeries were organized by American philanthropist Greig Craft, a longtime resident in Vietnam.
"Thien Nhan is worried about this surgery," admitted his mom, Mai Anh, yesterday. "He remembers how much the last surgery hurt and is tired. Nobody likes being in hospital. We all feel worried and tired." Thien Nhan turned five last July. He won fans around the world after he miraculously survived being dumped in the jungle in Central Vietnam at birth and horrifically mauled by wild animals.
This November, Dr. DeCastro and a team of Italian and Vietnamese specialists will perform surgeries on 32 little boys with genital deformities in Hanoi. Because everyone involved in this amazing endeavour is volunteering their time, these procedures will cost an average of just US$1,500 per child. These life-changing surgeries were organized by American philanthropist Greig Craft, a longtime resident in Vietnam.
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Monday, October 17, 2011
WHERE TO DONATE
At the end of October, three Italian specialists in genital reconstruction will travel to Vietnam to perform genital surgery on 32 little boys. Thanks to these surgeons, who are waiving their fees, and other volunteers, these difficult procedures will cost just $1,500 per child.
While this is an extraordinarily great deal, it still adds up to US$50,000 for the first set of 32 little boys. Another 63 boys are on a waiting list for future surgeries. We are desperate for donations to ensure that as many kids as possible can undergo this life-changing surgery. If you are able to support this worthy cause, funds can be sent to these bank accounts:
Account name: Tran Mai Anh & Greig Craft for Thien Nhan surgery
Account number: 5690849
ANZ Bank - 14 Ly Thai To, Hanoi
Bank name: Citibank N.A, HCMC Branch
Address: 115 Nguyen Hue Blvd, Dist 1, HCMC
A/c name: Asia Injury Prevention Foundation
A/c #: 0-300411-002 (USD)
0-300411-029 (VND)
Please write "DONATION FOR DR.DECASTRO GENITAL SURGERY" in the subject line.
Thank you!
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Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Medical Mission: 95 Kids in Need
Since Thien Nhan's first round of phalloplasty surgery, we've been inundated by requests for help from dozens of other families in Vietnam whose sons are suffering from malformations or traumatic loss of their genitals. In light of all that we have learned and experienced in the past five years, I feel a strong moral obligation to "give back" to others.
Thien Nhan has experienced complications and will require two more genital surgeries. In light of the prohibitive costs, we invited the Italian specialist, Dr. DeCastro, to come to Vietnam - and he generously agreed. In three weeks' time Dr. DeCastro will perform surgeries in Hanoi on 32 young patients - including Thien Nhan, at a cost of $1,500 per sugery. Fantastic!
This was a difficult decision for us, because it involves limiting the funds that could be given to Thien Nhan, who still has many unmet needs, including a working prosthetic limb, physio and educational costs. We hope that Thien Nhan's champions will continue to support him. That said, we also hope to find more donors to help other kids facing similar hardships. There are 95 children in Vietnam awaiting this surgery. Within the next nine months they could ALL receive this life-changing surgery - if we can find funding.
If you can help, please email me at gcraft001@gmail.com
Sincerely yours,
Greig Craft
Thien Nhan has experienced complications and will require two more genital surgeries. In light of the prohibitive costs, we invited the Italian specialist, Dr. DeCastro, to come to Vietnam - and he generously agreed. In three weeks' time Dr. DeCastro will perform surgeries in Hanoi on 32 young patients - including Thien Nhan, at a cost of $1,500 per sugery. Fantastic!
This was a difficult decision for us, because it involves limiting the funds that could be given to Thien Nhan, who still has many unmet needs, including a working prosthetic limb, physio and educational costs. We hope that Thien Nhan's champions will continue to support him. That said, we also hope to find more donors to help other kids facing similar hardships. There are 95 children in Vietnam awaiting this surgery. Within the next nine months they could ALL receive this life-changing surgery - if we can find funding.
If you can help, please email me at gcraft001@gmail.com
Sincerely yours,
Greig Craft
Monday, April 18, 2011
Progress report

"He is stressed," says the boy's mother, Mai Anh. "He just wants to go back to school and get back to his normal life. A few days ago I heard him crying under the blankets late at night. He said that nothing was wrong. But later he told his big brother that he is scared that something will go wrong with the surgery."
Thien Nhan will turn five in July. All being well, he can go back to school after the summer holidays.
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Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Progress Report

Hanoi's humid weather may be to blame for the slow healing process. Or the delay could be caused by wear and tear, since Thien Nhan gets around by jumping on one leg and this puts additional strain on his groin.
"In general he's doing fine," says Mai Anh. "We are very happy that the surgery is behind us."
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Thien Nhan Video
Click on the title to see a video of Thien Nhan, taken nine hours after he got out of surgery. He continues to heal well and is looking forward to returning to Hanoi to play with his cousins and his 5-year-old brother, Little Minh.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Good boy
Today, Thien Nhan is meeting prosthetic experts from a nearby prosthetic center in Bologne. "I hope that they'll be able to find a good solution for him," says Mai Anh. Because the stump of Thien Nhan's right leg is very short, to date, it has proven impossible to attach a prosthetic limb that has enough stability to allow him to walk comfortably.
"After his genitals heal, my next big goal is to help find a way for him to walk," says Mai Anh.
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Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Family Support

An early return to Asia would also be good news for Thien Nhan's godparents, Greig Craft and Na Huong, who organized this child's life-changing medical mission and accompanied him to Italy. Over the years, Greig and Na Huong have repeatedly taken time off from their demanding jobs in Hanoi to organize and accompany Thien Nhan on trips to see specialists in the USA, Germany, Thailand, and now Italy. All of these journeys have been made at their own expense, and caused considerable disruptions to their busy schedules.
While Thien Nhan had a rough start in life, he is lucky to have found such fantastic godparents!
[Photo shows Greig Craft and Big Minh comforting Thien Nhan.]
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Sunday, February 6, 2011
Recovering
As advised before the surgery, an additional urological surgery will be required in 6 to 9 months. But the goal of this surgery - to rebuild the boy's genitals - seems to be an outstanding success.
"Without going into graphic detail, suffice it to say that he looks 100% normal," says Greig Craft, the American philanthropist who, over the past 4 years, has been instrumental in organizing Thien Nhan's medical care. "Because the revolutionary technique of Dr. De Castro involves creating a penis from the pubic area, where flaps are cut from the side and formed to create a natural-looking, age-appropriate and functioning penis, the end result is stunning. Because this is from his body it will grow with him through puberty, as would his original penis."
The child's scrotum was also rebuilt, and a prosthetic testicle inserted. When he gets bigger, another testicle will be added.
[Photo shows the surgeon who led Thien Nhan's reconstructive surgery, Dr. De Castro, changing the boy's bandages.]
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Then and Now


Last week, Thien Nhan, now 4, underwent another life-changing surgery in Bologne, Italy. Surgeons worked for more than 8 hours to rebuild the boy's penis and insert prosthetic testes. "The surgeons say everything went well and he is recovering," reports Thien Nhan's relieved mum, Mai Anh. Full recovery is expected to take three months.
[Top left photo: Thien Nhan recovering from surgery in Bologne, Italy. Top right photo: Thien Nhan in Intensive Care as a newborn in Central Vietnam.]
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Friday, February 4, 2011
Best Big Brother

Here, Big Minh is helping Thien Nhan to get a drink of water.
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Saturday, January 29, 2011
Good news

"His penis will be normal size for his age and look normal in about three months," said Thien Nhan's mum, Mai Anh. "It should be able to grow with him and have sensation."
Obviously, it had been a long day for Mai Anh, who was very relieved that the surgery was a success. Speaking at around midnight last night (Vietnam time), she said: "Thien Nhan is still groggy. When he woke up from the surgery his eyes were full of tears. He saw me there and he said: 'I didn't cry, Mummy. It doesn't hurt so don't worry. 'Since then, he's woken up a few more times and told me that he didn't cry."
Thien Nhan must remain in hospital in Bologne Italy for another two to three weeks, to recover from this major procedure.
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Friday, January 28, 2011
Off to the OR

Last night, before going to bed, Thien Nhan met the doctors. "He asked them if they would cut his body from the neck down and whether or not there would be a lot of blood," reports Mai Anh. "When they told him that the incision would be small, he felt much better. He woke up at 5.45am and the first thing that he did this morning was to reconfirm that the incision would be small."
The surgery to insert prosthetic testicles and reconstruct Thien Nhan's penis is expected to take around eight hours.
[Photo shows Thien Nhan, 4, and his brother, Big Minh, in the hospital waiting room.]
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Waiting...

"Today we will rest around the hotel," says Thien Nhan's mum, Mai Anh, who admits that waiting is tough.
"Thien Nhan knows that the operation will hurt and be bloody," says Mai Anh. "But he told his brother Big Minh that he isn't scared. He said that everything will be fine and he'll have a penis like his other brother Little Minh's."
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Hungry

Unfortunately, in the morning Mai Anh learned that Thien Nhan wasn't allowed to eat until after he'd had some medical tests.
"Mum, I'm so hungry," said Thien Nhan.
"I know love," said Mai Anh. "I'm so sorry but you must wait. I'm hungry too."
"So why don't you have some bread?" said Thien Nhan.
"No," said Mai Anh. "When you can eat, I'll eat too."
"You should have some bread."
"But you're not allowed to eat yet."
"Go on, Mum. Eat something now. I'll eat after I've had my check up," said Thien Nhan.
Mai Anh was so proud of her brave little boy, and so touched by his concern for her.
[Photo shows a tired and hungry Thien Nhan waiting to see specialists.]
At the Hospital

This morning, Thien Nhan will see doctors for a pre-surgery consultation. The surgeon needs to be sure that he is healthy enough to withstand such a lengthy and difficult operation.
Bon Voyage

As the group sat waiting at Hanoi's Noi Bai airport, Mai Anh admitted to being nervous about Thien Nhan's upcoming surgery. "I'm sure that Thien Nhan will sleep on the plane," she said. "But I doubt that I will."
[Photo: Thien Nhan (right) and his brother Little Minh check out some new toys that Thien Nhan will bring on his trip to Italy.]
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Getting ready

Mai Anh, Thien Nhan, and Thien Nhan's eldest brother Big Minh will spend Vietnam's biggest festival, the Tet Lunar New Year, in Italy. Following his genital surgery, Thien Nhan must spend two to three weeks in hospital.
To prepare for the Lunar New Year, everybody in Vietnam gets a haircut, buys new clothes and makes themselves look as good as possible. Here's a photo of Thien Nhan's maternal grandpa or Ong Ngoai helping Thien Nhan to look extra handsome.
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Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Italy: one week to go...

Dr. Roberto DeCastro, one of the world's leading experts in genital reconstruction, will rebuild an age-appropriate sized penis and scrotum and insert prosthetic testicles. Because some nerves in Thien Nhan's groin are undamaged, the penis should have sensation, and should continue to grow as he matures.
This complex surgery will take seven to nine hours. Recovery time is estimated at 14 to 20 days. All being well, this is the most difficult surgery that Thien Nhan, who's now four years old, will have to endure.
After a sizeable discount the surgery will cost US$45,000. Travel and three weeks' accomodation in Italy will add around another US$20,000.
Luckily, Thien Nhan's champion, Singaporean cartoonist CC Lee http://chewonitcomics.blogspot.com/, has come through yet again. From May to December 2010, CC Lee raised an astounding US$13,755 towards Thien Nhan's medical care. As usual, he topped up the donations with his own money and handed over US$14,000.
In all, CC Lee, his readers and colleagues have donated US$77, 600 to help Thien Nhan. We are overwhelmed by the generosity of CC Lee and his fellow Singaporeans!
Thank you, Singapore!
[Photo shows Thien Nhan and his schoolmates doing their morning exercises].
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