A heartwarming act of compassion and altruism from a young Chinese mother has captured the hearts of numerous individuals on mainland social media platforms. Tan Chang, a 32-year-old lawyer hailing from Fuxin in Liaoning province in northeastern China, donated her bone marrow to save the life of a critically ill five-year-old boy, in a noble act that has deeply moved netizens.
The story began when Tan registered with the China Marrow Donor programme on August 8, 2020, coinciding with her own son’s second birthday, as reported by The Paper. However, it wasn’t until January of this year that she received a call informing her of a successful match with a young boy suffering from an undisclosed medical condition.
Despite her apprehensions about the invasive procedure and her personal battle with severe anaemia, Tan felt a deep empathy for the boy, who was nearly the same age as her son. Resolving to help him, she embarked on a six-month journey of taking blood tonic medicine to ensure she met the necessary medical requirements for the donation.
Tan emphasized the care she took during this period, stating, “I’ve been taking iron supplements and focusing on nutrition.” The preparatory phase culminated in a series of injections over five days, readied her blood for the donation procedure. She underwent the operation at a hospital in Shenyang, the provincial capital, on June 30.
During the procedure, Tan had the unwavering support of her husband and their two children. Even though the procedure was challenging, extending two hours beyond the anticipated four hours and resulting in her fainting due to her weak veins, Tan persevered. She reflected on her decision, saying, “This boy is around the same age as my son, and perhaps he is a third child in my life.”
Furthermore, she penned an emotionally charged letter to the recipient of the transplant, expressing her deep concern and hopes for the boy’s health and happiness. Her compassionate message was, “Let my hematopoietic stem cells take root and blossom in your body. I wish you healthy growth and the joy of experiencing the beauty of this world.”
The moving account of Tan’s selfless act has struck a chord with many individuals across mainland social media. One person referred to her as an “angel,” reflecting the deep admiration and respect her story has garnered.
Tan’s story resonates with another recent act of kindness, where a 33-year-old mother from Yunnan province in southwestern China donated her stem cells to a severely anaemic one-year-old child in February. These acts of extraordinary generosity shine a light on the power of human compassion, even in times of personal hardship.
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