Help Save a Life!

[chris_f]

Houku Katagiri (Hou-chan) is a 2-year boy who lives in Mitaka, Tokyo. His father works at the Japanese branch of my company.

In October 2008, he had sudden heart failure and was diagnosed with restrictive cardiomyopathy - an incurable disease that takes the lives of 50 percent of those afflicted within one year.

Hou-chan’s condition is serious, and a heart transplant is the only way to save his life.

Heart transplants for children are not permitted in Japan, where by law organ donors must be at least 15 years old. Hou-chan’s condition is deteriorating and he is currently hospitalized at Kyorin University Hospital. He needs a transplant operation as soon as possible.

Loma Linda University Hospital (located in the United States) will perform the life-saving surgery, but first Hou-chan’s family must secure the $1 million USD required to cover his estimated medical costs.

In Japan, health insurance does not this operation and government support is unavailable. Katagari-san’s family needs your voluntary donations to help raise the funds required for his life-saving surgery and recovery.

If you're interested in helping, you can find out more information here: http://chrisferdinandi.com/urgent-help-save-a-life

Thanks!

[Celestialmom]

Chris, is there any way that this could be linked somehow to an already established charity? Or could you explain more about what entity the donations would be routed through? I'm not questioning your integrity here, just trying to be wise.

[chris_f]

In short, no. I'm not running this - just spreading the word. The child's father works at my company.

I can definitely see why you'd bring that up, though. It hadn't even occurred to me. My company has been making a pretty big deal of it, so I never even thought twice about it. As an outsider, though, I can see how this would seem a bit shady.