A 12-year-old girl in Qingdao, Shandong province, who suffers from congenital scoliosis, is in desperate need of an operation.

Wang Jiating has suffered from the condition since birth, though her family has just managed to get her formally diagnosed after scraping together enough money to cover the medical fee.

The girl has an S-shaped spine, which has compressed her chest and makes walking difficult. Doctors said Wang is in need of timely treatment, or her condition may become life threatening.

A local foundation offered 100,000 yuan ($15,000) for her operation in Taiwan after the Spring Festival, but the family needs to raise another 1000,000 yuan before surgery can be arranged.

(Peninsula City News)