Here's an incredibly tragic story affecting a family located in Shenzhen / Guangzhou right now but also an opportunity for the Shanghai (and China) community to come together, dig deep, and help out with their donations to set things right.

Parents Matthew and DanDan are currently raising funds to transport their newborn baby, Mia so that she can receive specialist medical treatment with her family in the UK. Born three months premature, her parents already lost her twin sister Scarlett to complications from a preterm birth. Mia herself has already undergone brain surgery at just six weeks old and is fighting the many complications of being born prematurely.

With the support of national UK charity Lia's Wings, they are hoping to raise 25,000 GBP to transport MIA home by air ambulance transfer.

The Story

The Shenzhen couple, UK expat Matthew, 35, and DanDan, 33, had expected their twin children to be born this month but due to an infection during pregnancy, DanDan gave birth to daughters Mia and Scarlett via emergency cesarean section on May 3.

At 14 weeks premature, the twins were critically ill and subsequently transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit immediately without even being held by their parents. They received initial care but when it became apparent that their needs were greater than what the Shenzhen hospital could provide, they were transferred to facilities in Guangzhou. CT scans revealed the severity of the situation. Tragically, Scarlett's condition was such that Matthew and DanDan were faced with the decision to stop treatment altogether. Scarlett Rose passed away in Matthew's arms on June 8, the first time she had been held by her dad. Mia underwent brain surgery at just six weeks old and is fighting the many complications of being preterm.

Now, after losing one child, the family is attempting to fly Mia back to the UK so that she can receive specialist treatment, with the assistance of UK charity Lia's Wings.

You can read more about their story in this article in the Liverpool Echo, which has also been picked up by the Mirror.

The Charity: Lia's Wings

Lia's Wings is a national charity that provides hospital air transfers for children. They ensure that babies and critically ill children can access specialist treatment and care, wherever they are in the UK.

Lia's Wings is providing financial assistance as well as practical guidance and medical support for Mia's safe air ambulance transfer home.

From the family: "Lia's Wings has given our family so much more than hope. The team has been so supportive and caring. Group calls and messages with Dr. Lee Collier have been so helpful and reassuring. Charlotte is a caring voice at the end of the phone. She is the lifeline, helping us organize ourselves to raise the funds needed. We wouldn't be anywhere without them. Together, we have raised 15,000 GBP so far towards the cost of the air transfer. We are now reaching out to others to help secure the final 25,000 GBP needed for the air transfer."

The Current Situation

SmartShanghai talked to Matthew's sister Victoria about the current situation:

SmSh: What's Mia's current condition?

Victoria: Mia is still in NICU and needs some medical attention, but her progress — she's breathing [off continuous oxygen] and her heart rate is stabilizing, which means she will be able to fly soon.

The charity, Lia's Wings, have a specialist doctor, Dr. Lee, who is in touch with Matt and DanDan for progress updates. He and the charity are organizing all the transport directly from the GZ hospital to the airport, then will care for Mia mid-flight, and have her transported to the hospital in Liverpool once in the UK.

The reason the cost is so high is that she will need medical support throughout the flight. Mia recently had brain surgery to help with hydrocephalus and bleeding, so brain fluid needs to be monitored and drained daily.

SmSh: What's the status of the donations?

Victoria: We've got bits of donations coming in from friends and family fundraising efforts, and with Lia's Wings. So far together we've raised about 20k GBP, but have another 15-20k to go.

How to Donate: If You're Based in China

If people would like to donate in RMB, Victoria (Matthew's sister), can transfer the donations via WeChat. Victoria's WeChat ID: chopstickvic. The QR code is right here.

How to Donate: If You're Based Internationally

Baby Mia's JustGiving.com campaign page is right here. They accept donations via all major credit and debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and bank transfers.

Please consider donating if you are able to. SmSh hopes for a safe and speedy flight for baby Mia back to the UK...

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