A charity dedicated to saving a seven-year-old boy suffering from a life threatening medical condition is on the verge of collapsing due to insufficient funds.

The Mihdi Joon Foundation was established several years ago to save the life of Mihdi ?Joon? Brock, who was diagnosed with progressive kyphoscoliosis at the age of six months.

Speaking to from his home in Santa Monica, California, Mihdi?s father and founder of the charity, Bermudian Marvin Brock, said he does not know where the funds are going to come from to continue to provide for Mihdi?s medical treatment.

?I am finding it almost impossible to continue to generate funds and take care of Mihdi as his needs increase,? said Mr. Brock.

Mr. Brock said he needs $200,000 to pay for Mihdi?s basic expenses and treatment. Next week, Mr. Brock will be in Bermuda to raise the funds he needs to ensure his son has the necessary medical treatment over the next several months.

He is hoping and praying the generous nature of Bermuda residents will continue.

?Up to this point, we have been alive and supported by Bermuda,? he said.

Mr. Brock and Mihdi will be on the Island to raise funds for their charity and to educate the public about Mihdi?s condition through ?A Day in the Life? audio-visual presentation held at the Bahai Centre on Sunday, September 26 at 2.30 p.m. and at the Chamber of Commerce on September 27 at 5.30 p.m.

Filmed entirely through the support of volunteer workers, the audience will be taken through Mihdi?s day to learn more about the treatment he receives in Oriental medicine in qigong, acupuncture, medical massage, and herbal formulas. Mr. Brock said Mihdi?s needs also include support for his schooling, special education and therapeutic extracurricular classes as well as food, shelter and clothing.

Mr. Brock, a single parent, is not able to be employed full time as his son?s needs have demanded virtually all of his time and attention. Part of the video is devoted to showing how he spends his days taking Mihdi to and from treatment and soliciting funds to raise money for the Bermuda-based charity.

The struggle to keep Mihdi alive is a daily challenge. Mihdi weighs only 38 pounds and is supported by one kidney. Kyphoscoliosis is a condition that can cause severe curvature of the spine, potentially leading to a restriction in breathing and potentially pneumonia. In western medicine it is treated through rod insertion. With western medicine, Mr. Brock said Mihdi would have to undergo major corrective surgery at least once every six months for a dozen or more years.

The Brocks live in California so Mihdi can receive the treatment he needs from Dr. Baolin Wu, a Doctor of Oriental medicine.

Mihdi is in treatment for two hours a day, and although he responds well to the therapy, Mr. Brock said his son?s health is tenuous and he never knows what can happen day to day.

?Not having his daily treatment could only mean a very scary outcome,? said Mr. Brock. ?I have accepted what I could get for the last two years. We are canvassing the globe at this point to try and raise the funds.?

The Foundation strives to support Mihdi in his treatment and also to maintain a link to databases of practitioners of Oriental medicine who offer treatment services. Mr. Brock said once he is in the position to support Mihdi, he would like to be able to use the funds to help other children with the same condition.

?This is a situation that I never want anyone else to experience. I would hope to do everything I can in the future to help anyone who needs assistance, but at this point I?m not even sure how I can support Mihdi.?

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