JunYu is 11 years old and was born with several complex medical issues. He was found as a baby in 2002 by a kind teacher who took him home to raise as her own. She and her husband now have a four year old son and an elderly mother that they care for as well and JunYu.

JunYu required two major heart surgeries, one in 2004 and the other in 2011, both of which exhausted the family’s resources.  JunYu also has a biliary cyst that they cannot afford to treat.  The doctors have prescribed medication that will treat the cyst and make him feel much better. The medication for a year will cost $7350.  JunYu’s father said “no matter how many difficulties, he truly wants to try to save the child’s life.”

You can help this family by donating to his medication fund.  Every donation is greatly appreciated!

Kang, the child who started it all.

Ten years later, LWB has grown into a group of thousands who love and support the children of China. We are honored our work has been able to continue and reach the lives of so many children and families around the world with the support of generous friends like you.

Zhen, one of the first four children healed.

We invite you and your family to join us as we celebrate the children who have forever changed our lives. As a part of the celebration, we will be having dinner, live performances and a silent auction.

Date: July 13, 2013

Time: 6:00 PM-10:00 PM

Location: Holiday Inn Express, 6600 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont, IL 60018

Attire: Casual

Cost: Suggested donation of $25 per person

RSVP: http://www.lovewithoutboundaries.com/anniversary-celebration/

Seating is limited, so be sure to reserve your place as soon as possible. We hope to see you there!

As it turned out, our daughter’s case taught us that there was a whole lot to know. And to be her best advocate, especially when experts didn’t necessarily agree on what should be done for her, I read everything I could get my hands on. I knew the lingo, knew the facts.

But now those facts are changing, and the things I thought I knew….well, I guess I don’t.

What I Thought I Knew:
Most kids with Hep B need no treatment at all. Basic, Hep B 101. This is what the doctors told me when we were researching the special need. This is what I’ve told countless mothers and fathers who are wondering if they should check the box marked Hep B on their special needs checklist. Kids are usually in the immune tolerant phase, I’d tell them, which means that although they have the virus, their bodies are ignoring it or tolerating it. The virus became part of them when they were mere babies and their immune systems weren’t mature enough to recognize the virus as a threat, so unlike adult immune systems that spot the virus from the get-go and raise some serious cain (and get rid of it completely 95% of the time), kiddos usually just kind of co-exist with the virus and will probably keep it for the long haul.

What Researchers Are Saying:
Kid’s immune systems may not be so tolerant after all. This is huge. New studies are challenging the basic premise of Hep B 101. In fact, one study found that older people with chronic Hep B seem to have weaker immune responses than the younger individuals infected with the virus. To quote one article:

Scientists from Bertoletti’s laboratory, together with clinical collaborators in the UK, isolated T cells from 44 people with chronic HBV infections between the ages of 10 and 30, the majority of whom were of Asian descent. Around 75% of the world’s 400 million people with chronic hepatitis B can be found within the region of Asia. They compared the immune samples to those from healthy age-matched controls, and showed that young patients infected with HBV expressed increased levels of virus-associated T cells, and these T cells displayed the ability to expand and produce pro-inflammatory signaling molecules known as cytokines, which are involved in antiviral responses. Furthermore, these HBV-specific T cells became more dysfunctional with age, the authors found, suggesting that the longer a patient is left untreated, the less effective the immune system becomes at clearing the virus.

They go on to say that the current measure of immune activity in people with chronic Hep B, the ALT, may not be the best indicator of who should get treatment. Most of the young patients don’t have labs that would cause anyone alarm. But, and here’s the biggie–they might be missing a window where they could clear the virus at a young age–a window that might be closed, or at least harder to open, when they’re older.

What Doctors Are Doing About It:
Studies are currently happening in big medical centers on both coasts, treating kids who previously wouldn’t have been considered for treatment at all. These kids have normal, or just slightly elevated liver enzymes. In the past, doctors would say that treatment of these kids would be a waste of time. Now, they’re being treated with either PEG interferon alone or a short-term antiviral followed by PEG. These studies are still in their infancy and it’s too early to say if they’ve been a success. But, from the few people I know who have kids in the study, some of these kids who’ve previously shown NO immune response to Hep B, with the help of PEG, are giving the virus a serious beating.

I remember years ago when I was considering treatment for our daughter, one of the leading world experts in Hep B said to me, “This virus will never be less a part of her than it is now.” That swayed me to the side of treatment. And for her, that was fairly easy because her labs were worrisome. She was one of the minority of children that most doctors would say needed treatment. She started PEG interferon as a 3 year-old. The PEG was off-label because it’s not FDA approved for kids with Hep B and she was the first Hep B child to ever receive PEG at our large urban hospital. A year later, not only was she better, she no longer tested as having the virus. It was beyond what we’d hoped for–the best possible result. I’ve always wondered if part of the reason for her success was her young age. Our doctor, who is involved with the current studies, seemed to wonder too.

My sincere prayer is that this research will lead us to a point when all parents of kids with Hep B can have the joyous experience of looking at a lab sheet, wiping away tears, and reading the words Hep B NEGATIVE!

Eileen Beck lives down a long dirt road in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, 5 children, 2 dogs, 3 goats, 2 barn cats, and 7 chickens.  The laundry is rarely done, but life is never dull.  This blog was originally seen on No Hands But Ours. Visitors to Eileen’s blog, www.scravings.blogspot.com, are welcome!  Please be sure to check out this video called, “Maya’s Story” about her daughter’s experiences with chronic hepatitis B.

Ruth has settled well into her foster home. She enjoys the hugs her foster mother gives her and likes sleeping in the cradle near her. Ruth receives quality infant formula and rice cereal to help her gain the weight she needs to meet the minimum requirement of 12 pounds for her cleft lip surgery.

It is our hope that Ruth can have her cleft lip surgery next month, but we are in need of sponsors to partner with us to provide her medical care. We know that with the needed medical care, combined with the affection and nutrition she is receiving in her foster home, Ruth will grow and flourish into a healthy little girl. Your donation in any amount will help make this possible.

• Sponsor Ruth in LWB’s Medical Program

Paxton

Paxton’s story is one that illustrates the difference love and specialized care can make to a child.  He was so undernourished when he can into our care, but he is currently gaining weight in our Anhui Healing Home.  Paxton is making great progress now and will be able to receive surgery for his cleft lip in the near future.

Violet

Precious baby Violet is just two months old.  She has a large VSD, and her orphanage reports that she is very sickly.  She urgently needs heart surgery.

Andy

And then there is little Andy, from a very rural orphanage with very limited facilities.  He has a heart defect and was just recently abandoned.  He’s estimated to be only three weeks old.  Andy will be evaluated and a treatment care plan will be established for him as soon as possible.

This week, Love Without Boundaries has had the privilege of being the featured campaign at www.sevenly.org/LWB.  We appreciate Sevenly and the important work they do to raise awareness and funds.  For only a couple of remaining days, you can help provide these much needed medical funds through your purchase of a fantastic tee shirt, print , bag or even swaddling cloth.

Each purchase provides $7 of support to LWB and provides you with a stylish and unique product.  Please consider supporting LWB during the final days of the campaign by visiting www.sevenly.org/LWB.

Thank you for your continued support of LWB and the children we serve.  We can’t do it without you!

The National Chinese Government has made it a law that no child age 14 or older is allowed to be adopted. So, for a child who lives in an orphanage, their 14th birthday signals the end of their chance at having a permanent family.

Matthew, seen above in green, will turn 14 in September. I am certain that as happy as he looks in this photo, he is not looking forward to his birthday this year. Many in the Chinese culture believe that orphans are unlucky or even cursed. This belief can make life very difficult for orphans when they are trying to get an education or when they apply for a job. Some families do not want their children to go to school with a child with this stigma, and they make their feelings known.

The Chinese education system has varying levels of schooling. Many orphans attend the lowest levels as they have no way to pay for the higher level schooling. (When I say higher level, I am talking high school, not college.)

Even still, if an orphaned child makes it through college, they could have a difficult time finding a job  if a company didn’t want to hire someone whom they felt was “unlucky”.

Another thing to consider is that come holiday season when everyone makes the mad dash to return home to be with their families, many orphaned children have nowhere to go and no family waiting for them.

Untold numbers of Chinese children will age out each year. Ben, whom we have featured several times, and Matthew, seen above, are only a few months away from facing these challenges.

Matthew has a wonderful spirit that has carried him through so much hardship already, but he needs a home and a family that he can call his own.When the holiday season comes this year, I am hopeful that Matthew will be enjoying it at home with his family. Please read more about Matthew on my friend Rob’s blog at Eyes Opened, Heart Changed, and share his story in the hope that he will not become yet another child to age out.

~Samantha Harris is LWB’s Hunan Secondary and Higher Education Program Coordinator

This easy-going boy has lived with his foster family for over a year now, and he has become very close to them. Each day when his foster father returns from work, Tate runs to the door and greets him. Our manager reports that he is cherished by his entire foster family.

This busy, clever boy enjoys looking at books and building things with his toy bricks. He can also hold a pencil and make vertical and horizontal strokes. 

Soon Tate will be able to use his language skills to call to his adoptive mom and dad, who are expected to come in the next few months!

The love he has known from being part of his foster family is training for the love he will experience as part of a forever family. We know he will charm their socks off, just like he has charmed ours, and we wish him and his family a wonderful and happy new life!

Jay is two months old and was born with a severe bilateral cleft lip and palate. His condition can prove difficult to care for by busy orphanage staff due to the special time and attention his feeding needs present. TCHH is a perfect fit for Jay, where he has been eating, sleeping, and growing like a champ!

Jay was named after the tough blue Ninjago character by the son of a dedicated LWB volunteer, also an adoptee from China and born with a cleft. According to Wikipedia, “Jay is the most light-hearted of all the Ninja. He is always telling jokes, most of which are only funny to himself.” We are sure that at just two months old, Jay is laughing at his own jokes already.

Won’t you join us as we watch Jay grow and heal… and best of all laugh? Jay’s sponsors will be delighted to receive monthly updates that detail his progress and display his growing smile. Sponsorships are typically $50 per month, or $25 per month for a shared sponsorship. Please join us in giving Jay a future full of hope!

• Sponsor Jay at True Children’s Healing Home

Starting today, we are again partnering with Sevenly to raise funds specifically for children in our medical program. Sevenly is a unique organization that harnesses the power of art and community to raise funds and awareness for select charities. Sevenly’s designers created these graphics exclusively for Love Without Boundaries, and we love the sentiment of ­­­­­”B the Answer” as well as the stylish designs.

There are several unique graphics designed by Sevenly exclusively for LWB available in tank tops, t-shirts and long-sleeved tees in several colors.   Bags, hats, prints and even swaddling cloths are available for purchase. Some Sevenly pieces are more simple and do not have a graphic design.  For prices ranging from $26 for the tees to $44 for the hoodies, you can be the proud owner of one of these unique items.

These exclusive pieces will be available online at the Sevenly website for one week only, starting today (May 13) and ending May 19. For every purchase, Sevenly donates $7 to help children like Sierra in need of medical care.

Help the children in our medical program and show your love for orphaned children in style…LWB style!

In honor of Mother’s Day, we wanted to share a lovely, thoughtful blog post written by Kathy Lynn Harris, a Texan author living in Colorado. We hope it touches your heart as it touched ours!

Dear Mom of an Adopted Child,

I met you in adoption education class. I met you at the agency. I met you at my son’s school. I met you online. I met you on purpose. I met you by accident.

It doesn’t matter. The thing is, I knew you right away. I recognize the fierce determination. The grit. The fight. Because everything about what you have was a decision, and nothing about what you have was easy. You are the kind of woman who Makes.Things.Happen. After all, you made this happen, this family you have.

Maybe you prayed for it. Maybe you had to convince a partner it was the right thing. Maybe you did it alone. Maybe people told you to just be happy with what you had before. Maybe someone told you it simply wasn’t in God’s plans for you to have a child, this child whose hair you now brush lightly from his face. Maybe someone warned you about what happened to their cousin’s neighbor’s friend. Maybe you ignored them.

Maybe you planned for it for years. Maybe an opportunity dropped into your lap. Maybe you depleted your life-savings for it. Maybe it was not your first choice. But maybe it was.

Regardless, I know you. And I see how you hold on so tight. Sometimes too tight. Because that’s what we do, isn’t it?

I know about all those books you read back then. The ones everyone reads about sleep patterns and cloth versus disposable, yes, but the extra ones, too. About dealing with attachment disorders, breast milk banks, babies born addicted to alcohol, cocaine, meth. About cognitive delays, language deficiencies. About counseling support services, tax and insurance issues, open adoption pros and cons, legal rights.

I know about the fingerprinting, the background checks, the credit reports, the interviews, the references. I know about the classes, so many classes. I know the frustration of the never-ending paperwork. The hours of going over finances, of having garage sales and bake sales and whatever-it-takes sales to raise money to afford it all.

I know how you never lost sight of what you wanted.

I know about the match call, the soaring of everything inside you to cloud-height, even higher. And then the tucking of that away because, well, these things fall through, you know.

Maybe you told your mother, a few close friends. Maybe you shouted it to the world. Maybe you allowed yourself to decorate a baby’s room, buy a car seat. Maybe you bought a soft blanket, just that one blanket, and held it to your cheek every night.

I know about your home visits. I know about your knuckles, cracked and bleeding, from cleaning every square inch of your home the night before. I know about you burning the coffee cake and trying to fix your mascara before the social worker rang the doorbell.

And I know about the followup visits, when you hadn’t slept in three weeks because the baby had colic. I know how you wanted so badly to show that you had it all together, even though you were back to working more-than-full-time, maybe without maternity leave, without the family and casseroles and welcome-home balloons and plants.

And I’ve seen you in foreign countries, strange lands, staying in dirty hotels, taking weeks away from work, struggling to understand what’s being promised and what’s not. Struggling to offer your love to a little one who is unsettled and afraid. Waiting, wishing, greeting, loving, flying, nesting, coming home.

I’ve seen you down the street at the hospital when a baby was born, trying to figure out where you belong in the scene that’s emerging. I’ve seen your face as you hear a nurse whisper to the birthmother that she doesn’t have to go through with this. I’ve seen you trying so hard to give this birthmother all of your respect and patience and compassion in those moments—while you bite your lip and close your eyes, not knowing if she will change her mind, if this has all been a dream coming to an abrupt end in a sterile environment. Not knowing if this is your time. Not knowing so much.

I’ve seen you look down into a newborn infant’s eyes, wondering if he’s really yours, wondering if you can quiet your mind and good sense long enough to give yourself over completely.

And then, to have the child in your arms, at home, that first night. His little fingers curled around yours. His warm heart beating against yours.

I know that bliss. The perfect, guarded, hopeful bliss.

I also know about you on adoption day. The nerves that morning, the judge, the formality, the relief, the joy. The letting out of a breath maybe you didn’t even know you were holding for months. Months.

I’ve seen you meet your child’s birthparents and grandparents weeks or years down the road. I’ve seen you share your child with strangers who have his nose, his smile … people who love him because he’s one of them. I’ve seen you hold him in the evenings after those visits, when he’s shaken and confused and really just wants a stuffed animal and to rest his head on your shoulder.

I’ve seen you worry when your child brings home a family tree project from school. Or a request to bring in photos of him and his dad, so that the class can compare traits that are passed down, like blue eyes or square chins. I know you worry, because you can protect your child from a lot of things — but you can’t protect him from being different in a world so intent on celebrating sameness.

I’ve seen you at the doctor’s office, filling out medical histories, leaving blanks, question marks, hoping the little blanks don’t turn into big problems later on.

I’ve seen you answer all of the tough questions, the questions that have to do with why, and love, and how much, and where, and who, and how come, mama? How come?

I’ve seen you wonder how you’ll react the first time you hear the dreaded, “You’re not my real mom.” And I’ve seen you smile softly in the face of that question, remaining calm and loving, until you lock yourself in the bathroom and muffle your soft cries with the sound of the shower.

I’ve seen you cringe just a little when someone says your child is lucky to have you. Because you know with all your being it is the other way around.

But most of all, I want you to know that I’ve seen you look into your child’s eyes. And while you will never see a reflection of your own eyes there, you see something that’s just as powerful: A reflection of your complete and unstoppable love for this person who grew in the midst of your tears and laughter, and who, if torn from you, would be like losing yourself.

~Kathy Lynn Harris has completed two novels and three children’s books. She has also published hundreds of magazine articles, poetry, short fiction and essays. Her work has appeared in numerous published anthologies. You can learn more by visiting her blog.