Xiaoguang’s father was diagnosed with throat cancer and was unable to work. World Vision launched an emergency case to help the family overcome the crisis.

Xiaoguang, who lives in Donggang Town, Pingtung County, entered the fifth grade of elementary school after school started. He lives with his father, mother, sister and grandma. His father, who is engaged in chicken wholesale, was diagnosed with stage 4 hypopharyngeal cancer last year and was unable to continue working. After learning about the situation, social workers from the Pingnan Second Center of World Vision Taiwan rushed to the case to accompany Xiaoguang and support Xiaoguang and his family all the way through the difficulties.

In October last year, Xiaoguang's father went to the otolaryngology department for treatment due to severe throat pain. After examination, a tumor was found and he was urgently transferred to Kaohsiung Hospital for treatment. He underwent arduous treatments such as sectioning, tracheotomy, chemotherapy and surgery. When he was diagnosed, he was pessimistic, worried, and troubled, but thinking about his wife and two children around him, he told himself, "Don't be afraid, think about everyone in the family."

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Xiaoguang's father, who can only speak through his trachea due to surgical treatment, said, "I try to stay optimistic, because if I am also overwhelmed by fear, it will be harder for the family to move forward together." Xiaoguang's mother is also slowly adjusting her mood. Now the couple is actively cooperating with follow-up treatment, and she has gradually learned to face her husband with a positive attitude from her initial fear.

Xiao Guang was sad and angry because he was worried about his father, but he did not stop because of this. His mother was busy taking care of his father and running for the family. He studied hard at school, won first place in the essay competition and the Taiwanese reading competition, and was selected as a model student in the class. When his parents were hospitalized, Xiao Guang took the initiative to take care of his younger sister who was in Primary 1 and did everything he could.

Xiaoguang's mother said that she was very grateful to the social workers of the Prospect Society for caring about their family during this period. When her husband was hospitalized, she focused almost all her attention on the hospital. The Prospect Society opened emergency cases when the family needed it most, helping to apply for special family assistance funds to alleviate the family's pressure from sudden loss of income. At the same time, they continued to care about the life and education of their two children. This support was not only financial help, but also allowed her to know that someone cared about and accompanied her children during the busiest time.

The Pingtung Office of World Vision Taiwan stated that in the face of sudden illness and family changes, vulnerable families often need more than just immediate financial assistance. They also need someone to lend a helping hand in the most panicky moments to help families stabilize their lives and so that children do not lose the support they need to grow up due to their parents' emergencies. They invite the public to become a supportive force for vulnerable families.