special project: Saving song pengfei, a hiv VICTIM story

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Saving Song Pengfei Project was supported by worldwide responses to the report published by New York Times Journalist Elisabeth Rosenthal. The Phelex Foundation was asked by donors to serve as custodian for his medication purchase and help needed.  

Health System in China fails as AIDS Enters
By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL
New York Times

BEIJING -- Song Pengfei passes his days in a spare 12- by 12-foot room moving from a bed with a red- checked blanket, to a chair, to a donated computer. His parents, their lives crammed into the adjacent sitting room, spend their days worrying. (click for complete story) 

A Visit to Song Pengfei
Reported by Professor Chris Rzonca General Studies Program
New York University
(June 22, 1999)

On May 24, 1999, a group of fifteen students and faculty from New York University's General Studies Program visited Song Pengfei and his Mom and Dad in Beijing.

Inspired by Elizabeth "Libby" Rosenthal's March 10th article about Pengfei's plight, students, faculty and administration responded with donations of money, books, cards and letters. Since a trip to China was already planned as part of a course on Chinese Buddhism, it seemed appropriate that we deliver these things in person.
It was a great honor to meet Song Pengfei. The students-- many of whom spoke fluent Mandarin Chinese--were able to talk with him and his parents at length about how his life had changed as a result of his accident and subsequent infection with HIV. It was clear that he missed a "normal" life-- things like spending time with his friends and going to school. Perhaps having a chance to speak to young people, although from very different backgrounds, cheered him up.
He also expressed an interest in hearing from an AIDS survivor he had heard about, the basketball player Magic Johnson. (We're working on it!)
Our group was struck by the courage, self-confidence and quiet acceptance of fate exhibited by this young man.
After his father made an emotional thank you speech, we left knowing that although Pengfei would return to a life circumscribed by his misfortune, he would also know that some people in New York were concerned about him.
We were glad to be able to help, knowing that our donations to the Phelex Foundation would help him with the drugs that keep him healthy.
Special thanks to Elisabeth Rosenthal, Rebecca Yan and the Phelex Foundation for making this meeting possible.

Donor List
The Phelex Foundation has started to receive donations to Saving Song Pengfei Fund since March 21, 1999. Donations of any amount are welcome. (Click for the complete donor list)

Fund's Usage
All the donations will be used solely on purchasing AIDS medicines that Song Pengfei needs and for his treatment. The progress of Song Pengfei's treatment is posted here as soon as it becomes available.

• Song Pengfei is now taking donated medicines brought in by volunteers.
• Dr. Shao prescribed 6-month medicines for Pengfei. It will be paid by the Phelex Foundation Saving Song Pengfei Fund. It will cost around $6,841 according to Dr. Shaw.
• The Phelex Foundation contacted the University of Southern California where the medicines can be purchased. Since this is a humanitarian work to the USC, the school will have to work out a way to help. The Foundation is told to wait for a few more days to send the payment.
• Meanwhile, anther donated box of medicines will arrive in Beijing by the end of June, 1999. Among these donated medicines, one of the medicines that Pengfei is taking can last up to 6 months.

Report on Medicine Purchase (May 19, 1999)

• The Phelex Foundation sent a check of $6,841.23 to the University of Southern California, School of Medicine to purchase two types of medicines for Pengfei. 
• The medicines will cover August, 1999 through January, 2000 for Pengfei, and the medicines are in Beijing now.
• Song Pengfei is now taking donated medicines brought in by volunteers.
• Balance as of March 24, 2000. The total amount left in the Saving Song Pengfei Fund after the above medicines purchase is $2,732.75. The amont has since been transfered to Aixin Foundation, a foundation in China that promotes HIV/AIDS education.