By By Paul Bradbury Feb 5, 2013 in World Despite the harsh economic situation, a nation pulls together to raise money for a sick child to have an operation in America. "Thank God that we live in Croatia, a country which has been given a “junk” credit rating status," said Situm, "and we are sending a message out to the world. Maybe we are small and poor, maybe we don’t have the standards like the West, but for its children we pull out every last cent from our pockets because we have bigger hearts and souls than Switzerland’s credit rating." The public thank you comes after an incredible public response from Croatians to the immediate needs of Situm's 5 year-old daughter, Nora, who is suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and whose condition requires immediate treatment by specialists in America. The Situms did not have anything close to the 3.3 million kuna ($590,000) required for the trip and treatment, but a public appeal has resulted in an unprecedented response from the people of Croatia. An intense media and social media campaign touched the hearts and opened the wallets of thousands of Croats - who are facing extremely difficult economic conditions at the moment - and the money was raised within three days. ARTICLE UPDATE AND A MESSAGE FROM NORA'S MOTHER It is a story which has touched the hearts of a nation. A nation facing economic crisis and hardship, but the touching public thank you to the people of Croatia by Ivica Situm - as reported by Croatia Week on February 5, 2013 - was testament to the phenomenal response of a country in the middle of economic crisis."Thank God that we live in Croatia, a country which has been given a “junk” credit rating status," said Situm, "and we are sending a message out to the world. Maybe we are small and poor, maybe we don’t have the standards like the West, but for its children we pull out every last cent from our pockets because we have bigger hearts and souls than Switzerland’s credit rating."The public thank you comes after an incredible public response from Croatians to the immediate needs of Situm's 5 year-old daughter, Nora, who is suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and whose condition requires immediate treatment by specialists in America.The Situms did not have anything close to the 3.3 million kuna ($590,000) required for the trip and treatment, but a public appeal has resulted in an unprecedented response from the people of Croatia. An intense media and social media campaign touched the hearts and opened the wallets of thousands of Croats - who are facing extremely difficult economic conditions at the moment - and the money was raised within three days. A Facebook page for Nora has already received more than 80,000 fans, and it announced today that Nora will be taken to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia on Friday. More about nora situm, Croatia, ivica situm More news from nora situm Croatia ivica situm