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Hainan Anticancer Angel - Wen-Wen Lin
[Turn Cancer into Love · Draw Hope]
Don’t cry, Mom. I want to live, and I will live through it. Everything will be alright.
—Wen-Wen Lin
Fight against Cancer with Love ‧ Unite Cross-strait People with Drawing
4 years ago, Wen-Wen Lin undertook a work-study program. No sooner had she graduated from Haikou Vocational Tourism School in Hainan Province than she threw herself into work in order to lighten the family burden of low-paid father, a driver, and laid-off mother. She rented a small store and sold mobile phones. However, a good time never lasts long. In less than half a year, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (commonly known as leukemia) in July 2011. Wen-Wen is particularly grateful to her parents for borrowing money for her treatment. She is immensely strong and thoughtful, and never does she shed tears. Apart from comforting parents, brother and sister, she also encourages other patients to go on living. What’s more, she resolutely ended her love and blessed her boyfriend. Meanwhile, she turns the pain of chemotherapy into optimistic and joyful paintings. In addition to entertaining herself and others, she also sells the paintings for charity to help others by helping herself and help more vulnerable patients, encouraging everyone to fight against cancer with love.
Therefore, she knows gratitude, makes herself strong, is kind to others, draws hope and helps others by helping herself, so she is worthy of “Hainan Anticancer Angel”. Among the 2459 nominees for the medal, Wen-Wen Lin has been award the 19th Global Fervent Love of Lives Medal by the Chou Ta-kuan Foundation. To respond to the requirements of compatriots across the strait, before Wen-Wen Lin receives bone marrow transplantation in a life-and-death struggle, the Global Fervent Love of Lives Medal and awards are issued in advance, and in the meantime, the art exhibition named “Draw Hope ‧ Draw Love -- Hainan Anticancer Angel - Wen-Wen Lin Unites Cross-strait People with Drawing” is held.
Change from an Optimistic Beauty to a Tough Patient
According to Dr. Hai-Yuan Chou, attending physician of Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical College, she first met Wen-Wen in 2011 and remembered that Wen-Wen was exceedingly pretty with cascading black hair, aquiline nose and sparkling big eyes. However, her beautiful face was terribly pale and she spoke in a faint voice, making others take pity for her. It turned out that the young girl Wen-Wen suffered from acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
No sooner had Wen-Wen graduated than she worked for a private company. Her original wish of working hard to look after her parents was crushed after six months of work. After she started working in the company, she repeatedly coughed and the effect of repeated treatment was not satisfactory. As her symptoms gradually worsened, she visited the Affiliated Hospital Of Hainan Medical College to receive routine blood test and examine bone marrow, and was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This sudden turn of events pushed Wen-Wen’s mother into a dark abyss, making her feel it was the end of the world.
On that day, after having been informed of Wen-Wen’s condition, her mother felt complex and heavy-hearted, and dizzy with weak legs. She dared not to cry in front of Wen-Wen, but had to pretend that everything was fine. The mother could only hide in the ward’s bathroom turned on the maximal tap water. She just wanted to have a good cry to give vent to her suffering and pressure, letting the rushing sound of water to cover her cries. Nevertheless, Wen-Wen on the bed was still aware of her mother’s abnormal acts, and walked to the bathroom. When seeing her weeping mother, Wen-Wen seemed to hunch that her conditions were considerably serious. Otherwise, mother would not cry so sadly.
But at that moment, Wen-Wen showed unprecedented calmness, and told her mother, “Mom, you must tell me my true conditions. Whatever disease I have, I am convinced that I will get better, so please don’t cry and don’t be afraid”. Wen-Wen’s mother Ms. He told her the truth while crying and holding her daughter, letting tears trickle down her cheek, but Wen-Wen did not shed a tear. Instead, she stroked her mother’s shoulders and tightly held her hands, comforting her, “Mom, I will be alright, everything will be alright”. At that time, it was as if Wen-Wen was a tough mother, while Ms. He was an injured daughter. Ms. He cried loud by having Wen-Wen in her arms. Wen-Wen constantly wiped away tears on her mother’s cheek, comforting her mother, “Don’t cry, Mom. I’m lucky and tough. And I will live through it. Everything will be fine”. Then, the grief-stricken mother tightly held her daughter, terribly afraid that her daughter would leave her.
Round off Love ‧ Wish the Best for Boyfriend
After having learned that she suffered from such a serious disease, and that the disease would consume her youth and cost high medical expenses and even her life, she did not want to cause burden on her boyfriend for several years, and hence, she decisively proposed to break up with him. But her boyfriend determinedly refused her proposal and hoped to save their love with actions. He often visited her in the ward or at her home, and vowed solemnly that he sincerely loved her and determined not to give up this love. Wen-Wen was a smart sensible child who was considerate of others, and put herself in others’ shoes. Yet, the reality was very cruel. She needed to end this love. Every time when her boyfriend visited her, she choked back the pain of losing this love and ignored him, cursed him or even refused to see him with only one purpose that her boyfriend could leave her. If she placed burden on him due to her illness, she would be guilty throughout her lifetime. She decided not to disturb his life and give him a fresh start, and also hoped that they could keep the once beautiful love in their heart. Therefore, she was willing to be “cruel” and a “heartless” person, sincerely hoping that he could lead a better life. This is perhaps the most passionate love. Later, her boyfriend gradually paid fewer visits to her. For her, a burden was lifted. Love should be beautiful, with only those good times leaving whether it begins or ends. She rounded off her love with a beautiful and simple heart. It is exactly because of the solemn pledge of eternal love that she would rather sacrifice herself, but never impose burden on her loved ones. Perhaps this is the relativity of love. She would quietly concern and wish the best for him in an unknown corner. The intense fragrance of love would eventually fade away with the time. Never has she cried in front of anyone. If her boyfriend led a better life after leaving her, she would feel her soul was properly soothed. Although she lost her love, this was the ending she desired. Being kind to others and making yourself tough are by no means a fairy tale, but her love is as beautiful and sad as a fairy tale.
Unfold Invisible Wings ‧ Fly over Sick and Despair
After all, Wen-Wen and her family must bravely face this disaster. Her parents cried very sadly, and suppressed grief to comfort the child whose life has just begun but with folded wings. She began to receive chemotherapy in 2012. During chemotherapy, she suffered from bleeding, anemia, low white blood cells, infection and fever. After chemotherapy, she experienced serious complications after bone marrow suppression such as bleeding, anemia and infection, and received red cell transfusions, platelet transfusions and anti-infection treatment. She calmly faced all these with great fortitude. Usually, she talked little. During the treatment, she tried her best to bear the nausea, fatigue, poor appetite and other uncomfortable symptoms. We never see her complain or cry.
She actively cooperated with the doctors, received chemotherapy and blood transfusions and survived bone marrow suppression, infection and other critical days. Therefore, her bone marrow suppression was completely relieved. Subsequently, she was given 6 courses of intensive chemotherapy and intrathecal injection in 2012. During the many chemotherapies, she experienced many stages of bone marrow suppression, severe Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis, severe bleeding, severe anemia and other complications. After chemotherapy, she was completely bald in the most serious case. After long-term use of hormones, the morbidly obese Wen-Wen was completely different from her beautiful old self. As a blooming girl with the love of beauty, she feels lost, but in front of her family, she faces life with toughness and smile. Angel does not cry, nor does Wen-Wen. She wears a wig and still faces parents, relatives and other patients with smile.
After complete remission of bone marrow and consolidation therapy, doctors recommended allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, but allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation required several hundred thousand yuan. However, the multiple courses of chemotherapy in early stage had used up all savings of the family. Then, Wen-Wen only had healthcare insurance, which could not cover the high cost of treatment. Therefore, the financially hard-pressed family faced difficult choices.
Wen-Wen has a younger brother and sister. It is difficult for a family of five and of three children. Her father is a sanitation truck driver working for Haikou Meilan Sanitation Department. Her mother was initially a traffic management assistant, but later was laid off. Hence, her family led an extremely difficult life. In order to raise medical expenses for Wen-Wen, apart from working in his company, her father also acted as a part-time driver for private companies after getting off work. After having learned the situations of her family, in order to care for Wen-Wen’s family, the leaders and colleagues of her father reduced his tasks and working hours so that he could have more time and energy to look after Wen-Wen after work. Besides, after having been laid off, her mother has stayed with Wen-Wen throughout her treatment. The companies of her parents offered tons of help and care, for which her family is immensely grateful.
I Want to Live on
In August 2013, Wen-Wen experienced leukemia relapse. Since the treatment in the early stage had used up all savings and the funds donated by relatives and friends, she received intermittent treatment. Before the Spring Festival in 2014, her leukemia again worsened, so she had to receive chemotherapy in hospital. During hospitalization, she suffered from lung bacterial, serious fungal infections and sepsis. Worse still, multiple drug-resistant infections occurred in many blood cultures. The treatment was particularly difficult. Additionally, the pain caused by invasion of leukemia cell into bones was terribly unbearable, and could not be relieved even though a host of painkillers were employed. Finally, the doctor told her that she could receive one injection of morphine to kill pain if the pain was indeed unbearable. However, given the possible inhibitory effect of the drug on normal cells and other side effects, she still bore the pain. Although beads of sweat rained down her cheeks due to systemic bone pain, she still endured the pain without uttering a word.
On the evening of March 20, 2014, she had septic shock and the hospital issued a notice of critical condition. Her parents were extremely nervous, fearing that their beloved daughter would really leave them. At that moment, her mother, who was in tears, begged the doctors to make every endeavor to save Wen-Wen. Ms. He folded her arms around her daughter, hoping to give her the strength and courage to live on and praying Wen-Wen would pull through. Wen-Wen determinedly looked at her mother and tried her best to conceal her weakness, telling her mother that “Don’t cry and don’t be afraid, Mom. I’m here and I will be alright”. God blessed the kind-hearted Wen-Wen. After a period of proactive rescue, Wen-Wen got through the difficult dangerous period of infection. Besides, all indicators returned to normal, so she was happily discharged.
Since it was relapsed or refractory acute leukemia leukemia that Wen-Wen had, in order to save her life, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation must be performed. Her parents were really afraid that they would lose their beloved daughter, so they determined to sell the house so as to raise the treatment fees.
Wen-Wen was a smart girl. She secretly searched data on the Internet and grasped the treatment and prognosis of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Hence, she gained a certain understanding of her disease and was profoundly aware that allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation would require substantial fees. Furthermore, the transplantation fees and the follow-up treatment after transplantation needed to use anti-rejection drugs, which also cost a lot. This was exceedingly difficult for her family. These problems confronted her. This smart, sensible and kind-hearted child loved her parents, younger brother and sister. Who would want to leave their parents and their siblings? If the house was sold, where did the family live? How would the life of the family be sustained? She vehemently disagreed with her parents’ decision. Abandoning transplantation was perhaps a way of loving her parents and siblings.
She was deep in contemplation for a long time, but the beautiful, kind and strong Wen-Wen did not cry in front of anyone. Instead, she let her mother to rely on her thin body and comfort her mother that she would be alright.
Pass Love across the Strait ‧ Wen-Wen can be Cured
By the end of 2014, after the condition of Wen-Wen had been covered by the media, lots of people showed concern for Wen-Wen. Seeing the beautiful, kind and strong Wen-Wen was plagued by the disease, large numbers of friends and caring people made generous donation, though many of the well-meaning donors did not know Wen-Wen and her family. Therefore, Wen-Wen was finally able to carry on with chemotherapy. Many donors did not leave their names nor any contact information, and just silently supported Wen-Wen’s treatment. Ms. He remembered a sponsor, who said that since he did not have much money, he charged RMB 50 to Ms. He’s mobile phone to show his good intentions.
One day, two young men personally paid a visit to Wen-Wen, and gave an envelope containing RMB 5,000 to Wen-Wen’s mother. She saw the two young men wore glasses and looked like students, and thought they were as old as her children. Thus, she hadn’t the heart to receive so much money and only agreed to take RMB 200 from the envelope and insisted on returning the rest of the money to them. She thought it was hugely difficult for them as students to donate so much money. Even if they were not students, they must be fresh graduates and work for a short time. However, the two young men ran very quickly. Even Wen-Wen’s mother crazily caught up with them to return the money, she could not run faster than them, who soon disappeared.
Countless good-hearted people donated RMB 50, 100 or 200 to help Wen-Wen, including Wen-Wen’s classmates and friends, teachers and students from the schools which Wen-Wen attended and colleagues of the companies where Wen-Wen’s parents worked. Ms. He has always borne in mind the good deeds of these people. The family is profoundly grateful for the assistance Wen-Wen received.
In this early January, When inspecting Haian, Mr. Chin-hua Chou, founder of Chou Ta-Kuan Foundation, read on newspapers the coverage about the 25-year-old girl who suffered from “leukemia”, and hence temporarily changed his schedule. He personally came to the ward of the Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical College of Hematology to meet Wen-Wen. Also, he donated the money he carried with to Wen-Wen, and presented her a collection of poems titled “I Still Have One Leg” and “Ta Kuan” and written by his son to encourage Wen-Wen to tough it out. The selfless help and encouragement of Mr. Chou rendered Wen-Wen stronger. Wen-Wen has the collection of poems of Chou Ta-Kuan to hand every day so that she can read it at any time. Especially in the days of chemotherapy in the hospital, the pain of chemotherapy constantly tormented Wen-Wen, but she was so strong that she did not feel discouraged nor cry. “Doctor is the judge, sentencing to life imprisonment, but I am a patient not a criminal, I want to bravely walk out. Doctor is the judge, sentencing to death, but I am a patient not a criminal, I want to bravely go on living.” Whenever she reads the inspirational poems by Chou Ta-Kuan, she is filled with infinite courage and strength.
Wen-Wen’s family have a good wish that they can do charity in order to thank and repay the society. According to Wen-Wen, she expected that she could recover quickly and hoped that she could work and earn money after her disease was cured. Not only would she support the family and take care of her parents, but would distribute some of her monthly salary to do charity, help others and make herself happy.
Ms. He said that she was particularly grateful to so many people over the years. Also, she bore in mind everything they did, since Ms. She was already laid off without income and has not yet reached retirement age. Now, she needs to pay her own pension and health insurance each month. Ms. He was excited talking about her future plans: “I can receive a pension of more than RMB 1,000 each month if continuing to pay social security for two more years. I plan to allocate some money from the pension each month for charity in order to do charity, thank and repay the society, help others and make herself happy.”
Love and kindness can create miracles. We pray that the good wish of Wen-Wen and her family can be fulfilled.
Witness of Media -- Love from Taiwan Saves Wen-Wen
Perhaps Wen-Wen will indeed be saved this time!
January 7, 2015 Nanguo Metropolis Daily [Reporter Cheng-yong Hu]
“Doctor is the judge,
sentencing to life imprisonment,
but I am a patient not a criminal,
I want to bravely walk out.
Doctor is the judge,
sentencing to death,
but I am a patient not a criminal,
I want to bravely go on living.”
By Wen-Wen’s bedside, Mr. Chin-hua Chou, a caring people from Taiwan, affectionately recited a poem titled “Go On Living” written by his 9-year-old son to encourage Wen-Wen on the bed. “Come on! Cheer yourself up! We believe you can get through these difficulties! You can!”
Facing the comfort and encouragement of this strange uncle, Wen-Wen’s eyes brimmed with tears, and she answered with all her strength: “I will! Thank you! I certainly will!”
On the morning of January 6, what happened in the Affiliated Hospital Of Hainan Medical College moved Wen-Wen’s parents, the doctors and nurses present, and the staff with Taiwan Affairs Office Of Hainan Province accompanying Mr. Chin-hua Chou.
Mr. Chou comes from Taiwan’s Pingtung County. More than ten years ago, after bravely fighting against cancer for three years, his only 9-year-old son ended up passing away. Death of his son deeply touched Mr. Chou. In order to attain the unfulfilled wish of his son Chou Ta-Kuan of “love your life and live it happily”, Mr. Chou and his wife together with many caring people from home and abroad established the Chou Ta-Kuan Foundation in the name of his son. For more than a decade, this Foundation has been undertaking series of public service activities featuring the Fervent Global Love of Lives, and helped numerous children with cancer and patients with rare diseases around the world.
This visit of Mr. Chou to Hainan was primarily to investigate the possibility of building charitable nonprofit hospitals in Hainan. After arriving in Hainan on January 1, he happened to read the coverage about Wen-Wen on the Nanguo Metropolis Daily. Immediately, he thought of how his son fought against the disease in bed a decade ago. Therefore, Mr. Chou temporarily changed his schedule and visited and encouraged Wen-Wen with his brother and sister-in-law in hospital, and presented consolation money to Wen-Wen.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chou also expressed his willingness to help Wen-Wen contact Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Stem Cells Center for HLA (human leukocyte antigen) typing. The bone marrow bank is currently the largest one in Asia, and HLA typing there has a much larger chance of success. If the typing is successful, the Foundation can fund Wen-Wen to receive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Taiwan.
“People across the strait are as close as a family, and compatriots across the strait should together do such caring things!” Before going to the airport, Mr. Chou told the reporter that “The newspaper did a good deed. I hope that your coverage can encourage an increasing number of people to offer caring services and to help more people in need.”
According to Hai-Yuan Chou, attending physician of Wen-Wen, in fact, four years ago, she had suggested allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to Wen-Wen, but due to lack of money, Wen-Wen disapproved of this plan. Today, since Wen-Wen’s conditions relapsed and the chemotherapy alone produces little effect, the only hope now is to perform allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. “Perhaps Wen-Wen will indeed be saved this time!” Dr. Chou stated.
[Turn Cancer into Love · Draw Hope]
Don’t cry, Mom. I want to live, and I will live through it. Everything will be alright.
—Wen-Wen Lin
Fight against Cancer with Love ‧ Unite Cross-strait People with Drawing
4 years ago, Wen-Wen Lin undertook a work-study program. No sooner had she graduated from Haikou Vocational Tourism School in Hainan Province than she threw herself into work in order to lighten the family burden of low-paid father, a driver, and laid-off mother. She rented a small store and sold mobile phones. However, a good time never lasts long. In less than half a year, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (commonly known as leukemia) in July 2011. Wen-Wen is particularly grateful to her parents for borrowing money for her treatment. She is immensely strong and thoughtful, and never does she shed tears. Apart from comforting parents, brother and sister, she also encourages other patients to go on living. What’s more, she resolutely ended her love and blessed her boyfriend. Meanwhile, she turns the pain of chemotherapy into optimistic and joyful paintings. In addition to entertaining herself and others, she also sells the paintings for charity to help others by helping herself and help more vulnerable patients, encouraging everyone to fight against cancer with love.
Therefore, she knows gratitude, makes herself strong, is kind to others, draws hope and helps others by helping herself, so she is worthy of “Hainan Anticancer Angel”. Among the 2459 nominees for the medal, Wen-Wen Lin has been award the 19th Global Fervent Love of Lives Medal by the Chou Ta-kuan Foundation. To respond to the requirements of compatriots across the strait, before Wen-Wen Lin receives bone marrow transplantation in a life-and-death struggle, the Global Fervent Love of Lives Medal and awards are issued in advance, and in the meantime, the art exhibition named “Draw Hope ‧ Draw Love -- Hainan Anticancer Angel - Wen-Wen Lin Unites Cross-strait People with Drawing” is held.
Change from an Optimistic Beauty to a Tough Patient
According to Dr. Hai-Yuan Chou, attending physician of Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical College, she first met Wen-Wen in 2011 and remembered that Wen-Wen was exceedingly pretty with cascading black hair, aquiline nose and sparkling big eyes. However, her beautiful face was terribly pale and she spoke in a faint voice, making others take pity for her. It turned out that the young girl Wen-Wen suffered from acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
No sooner had Wen-Wen graduated than she worked for a private company. Her original wish of working hard to look after her parents was crushed after six months of work. After she started working in the company, she repeatedly coughed and the effect of repeated treatment was not satisfactory. As her symptoms gradually worsened, she visited the Affiliated Hospital Of Hainan Medical College to receive routine blood test and examine bone marrow, and was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This sudden turn of events pushed Wen-Wen’s mother into a dark abyss, making her feel it was the end of the world.
On that day, after having been informed of Wen-Wen’s condition, her mother felt complex and heavy-hearted, and dizzy with weak legs. She dared not to cry in front of Wen-Wen, but had to pretend that everything was fine. The mother could only hide in the ward’s bathroom turned on the maximal tap water. She just wanted to have a good cry to give vent to her suffering and pressure, letting the rushing sound of water to cover her cries. Nevertheless, Wen-Wen on the bed was still aware of her mother’s abnormal acts, and walked to the bathroom. When seeing her weeping mother, Wen-Wen seemed to hunch that her conditions were considerably serious. Otherwise, mother would not cry so sadly.
But at that moment, Wen-Wen showed unprecedented calmness, and told her mother, “Mom, you must tell me my true conditions. Whatever disease I have, I am convinced that I will get better, so please don’t cry and don’t be afraid”. Wen-Wen’s mother Ms. He told her the truth while crying and holding her daughter, letting tears trickle down her cheek, but Wen-Wen did not shed a tear. Instead, she stroked her mother’s shoulders and tightly held her hands, comforting her, “Mom, I will be alright, everything will be alright”. At that time, it was as if Wen-Wen was a tough mother, while Ms. He was an injured daughter. Ms. He cried loud by having Wen-Wen in her arms. Wen-Wen constantly wiped away tears on her mother’s cheek, comforting her mother, “Don’t cry, Mom. I’m lucky and tough. And I will live through it. Everything will be fine”. Then, the grief-stricken mother tightly held her daughter, terribly afraid that her daughter would leave her.
Round off Love ‧ Wish the Best for Boyfriend
After having learned that she suffered from such a serious disease, and that the disease would consume her youth and cost high medical expenses and even her life, she did not want to cause burden on her boyfriend for several years, and hence, she decisively proposed to break up with him. But her boyfriend determinedly refused her proposal and hoped to save their love with actions. He often visited her in the ward or at her home, and vowed solemnly that he sincerely loved her and determined not to give up this love. Wen-Wen was a smart sensible child who was considerate of others, and put herself in others’ shoes. Yet, the reality was very cruel. She needed to end this love. Every time when her boyfriend visited her, she choked back the pain of losing this love and ignored him, cursed him or even refused to see him with only one purpose that her boyfriend could leave her. If she placed burden on him due to her illness, she would be guilty throughout her lifetime. She decided not to disturb his life and give him a fresh start, and also hoped that they could keep the once beautiful love in their heart. Therefore, she was willing to be “cruel” and a “heartless” person, sincerely hoping that he could lead a better life. This is perhaps the most passionate love. Later, her boyfriend gradually paid fewer visits to her. For her, a burden was lifted. Love should be beautiful, with only those good times leaving whether it begins or ends. She rounded off her love with a beautiful and simple heart. It is exactly because of the solemn pledge of eternal love that she would rather sacrifice herself, but never impose burden on her loved ones. Perhaps this is the relativity of love. She would quietly concern and wish the best for him in an unknown corner. The intense fragrance of love would eventually fade away with the time. Never has she cried in front of anyone. If her boyfriend led a better life after leaving her, she would feel her soul was properly soothed. Although she lost her love, this was the ending she desired. Being kind to others and making yourself tough are by no means a fairy tale, but her love is as beautiful and sad as a fairy tale.
Unfold Invisible Wings ‧ Fly over Sick and Despair
After all, Wen-Wen and her family must bravely face this disaster. Her parents cried very sadly, and suppressed grief to comfort the child whose life has just begun but with folded wings. She began to receive chemotherapy in 2012. During chemotherapy, she suffered from bleeding, anemia, low white blood cells, infection and fever. After chemotherapy, she experienced serious complications after bone marrow suppression such as bleeding, anemia and infection, and received red cell transfusions, platelet transfusions and anti-infection treatment. She calmly faced all these with great fortitude. Usually, she talked little. During the treatment, she tried her best to bear the nausea, fatigue, poor appetite and other uncomfortable symptoms. We never see her complain or cry.
She actively cooperated with the doctors, received chemotherapy and blood transfusions and survived bone marrow suppression, infection and other critical days. Therefore, her bone marrow suppression was completely relieved. Subsequently, she was given 6 courses of intensive chemotherapy and intrathecal injection in 2012. During the many chemotherapies, she experienced many stages of bone marrow suppression, severe Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis, severe bleeding, severe anemia and other complications. After chemotherapy, she was completely bald in the most serious case. After long-term use of hormones, the morbidly obese Wen-Wen was completely different from her beautiful old self. As a blooming girl with the love of beauty, she feels lost, but in front of her family, she faces life with toughness and smile. Angel does not cry, nor does Wen-Wen. She wears a wig and still faces parents, relatives and other patients with smile.
After complete remission of bone marrow and consolidation therapy, doctors recommended allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, but allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation required several hundred thousand yuan. However, the multiple courses of chemotherapy in early stage had used up all savings of the family. Then, Wen-Wen only had healthcare insurance, which could not cover the high cost of treatment. Therefore, the financially hard-pressed family faced difficult choices.
Wen-Wen has a younger brother and sister. It is difficult for a family of five and of three children. Her father is a sanitation truck driver working for Haikou Meilan Sanitation Department. Her mother was initially a traffic management assistant, but later was laid off. Hence, her family led an extremely difficult life. In order to raise medical expenses for Wen-Wen, apart from working in his company, her father also acted as a part-time driver for private companies after getting off work. After having learned the situations of her family, in order to care for Wen-Wen’s family, the leaders and colleagues of her father reduced his tasks and working hours so that he could have more time and energy to look after Wen-Wen after work. Besides, after having been laid off, her mother has stayed with Wen-Wen throughout her treatment. The companies of her parents offered tons of help and care, for which her family is immensely grateful.
I Want to Live on
In August 2013, Wen-Wen experienced leukemia relapse. Since the treatment in the early stage had used up all savings and the funds donated by relatives and friends, she received intermittent treatment. Before the Spring Festival in 2014, her leukemia again worsened, so she had to receive chemotherapy in hospital. During hospitalization, she suffered from lung bacterial, serious fungal infections and sepsis. Worse still, multiple drug-resistant infections occurred in many blood cultures. The treatment was particularly difficult. Additionally, the pain caused by invasion of leukemia cell into bones was terribly unbearable, and could not be relieved even though a host of painkillers were employed. Finally, the doctor told her that she could receive one injection of morphine to kill pain if the pain was indeed unbearable. However, given the possible inhibitory effect of the drug on normal cells and other side effects, she still bore the pain. Although beads of sweat rained down her cheeks due to systemic bone pain, she still endured the pain without uttering a word.
On the evening of March 20, 2014, she had septic shock and the hospital issued a notice of critical condition. Her parents were extremely nervous, fearing that their beloved daughter would really leave them. At that moment, her mother, who was in tears, begged the doctors to make every endeavor to save Wen-Wen. Ms. He folded her arms around her daughter, hoping to give her the strength and courage to live on and praying Wen-Wen would pull through. Wen-Wen determinedly looked at her mother and tried her best to conceal her weakness, telling her mother that “Don’t cry and don’t be afraid, Mom. I’m here and I will be alright”. God blessed the kind-hearted Wen-Wen. After a period of proactive rescue, Wen-Wen got through the difficult dangerous period of infection. Besides, all indicators returned to normal, so she was happily discharged.
Since it was relapsed or refractory acute leukemia leukemia that Wen-Wen had, in order to save her life, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation must be performed. Her parents were really afraid that they would lose their beloved daughter, so they determined to sell the house so as to raise the treatment fees.
Wen-Wen was a smart girl. She secretly searched data on the Internet and grasped the treatment and prognosis of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Hence, she gained a certain understanding of her disease and was profoundly aware that allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation would require substantial fees. Furthermore, the transplantation fees and the follow-up treatment after transplantation needed to use anti-rejection drugs, which also cost a lot. This was exceedingly difficult for her family. These problems confronted her. This smart, sensible and kind-hearted child loved her parents, younger brother and sister. Who would want to leave their parents and their siblings? If the house was sold, where did the family live? How would the life of the family be sustained? She vehemently disagreed with her parents’ decision. Abandoning transplantation was perhaps a way of loving her parents and siblings.
She was deep in contemplation for a long time, but the beautiful, kind and strong Wen-Wen did not cry in front of anyone. Instead, she let her mother to rely on her thin body and comfort her mother that she would be alright.
Pass Love across the Strait ‧ Wen-Wen can be Cured
By the end of 2014, after the condition of Wen-Wen had been covered by the media, lots of people showed concern for Wen-Wen. Seeing the beautiful, kind and strong Wen-Wen was plagued by the disease, large numbers of friends and caring people made generous donation, though many of the well-meaning donors did not know Wen-Wen and her family. Therefore, Wen-Wen was finally able to carry on with chemotherapy. Many donors did not leave their names nor any contact information, and just silently supported Wen-Wen’s treatment. Ms. He remembered a sponsor, who said that since he did not have much money, he charged RMB 50 to Ms. He’s mobile phone to show his good intentions.
One day, two young men personally paid a visit to Wen-Wen, and gave an envelope containing RMB 5,000 to Wen-Wen’s mother. She saw the two young men wore glasses and looked like students, and thought they were as old as her children. Thus, she hadn’t the heart to receive so much money and only agreed to take RMB 200 from the envelope and insisted on returning the rest of the money to them. She thought it was hugely difficult for them as students to donate so much money. Even if they were not students, they must be fresh graduates and work for a short time. However, the two young men ran very quickly. Even Wen-Wen’s mother crazily caught up with them to return the money, she could not run faster than them, who soon disappeared.
Countless good-hearted people donated RMB 50, 100 or 200 to help Wen-Wen, including Wen-Wen’s classmates and friends, teachers and students from the schools which Wen-Wen attended and colleagues of the companies where Wen-Wen’s parents worked. Ms. He has always borne in mind the good deeds of these people. The family is profoundly grateful for the assistance Wen-Wen received.
In this early January, When inspecting Haian, Mr. Chin-hua Chou, founder of Chou Ta-Kuan Foundation, read on newspapers the coverage about the 25-year-old girl who suffered from “leukemia”, and hence temporarily changed his schedule. He personally came to the ward of the Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical College of Hematology to meet Wen-Wen. Also, he donated the money he carried with to Wen-Wen, and presented her a collection of poems titled “I Still Have One Leg” and “Ta Kuan” and written by his son to encourage Wen-Wen to tough it out. The selfless help and encouragement of Mr. Chou rendered Wen-Wen stronger. Wen-Wen has the collection of poems of Chou Ta-Kuan to hand every day so that she can read it at any time. Especially in the days of chemotherapy in the hospital, the pain of chemotherapy constantly tormented Wen-Wen, but she was so strong that she did not feel discouraged nor cry. “Doctor is the judge, sentencing to life imprisonment, but I am a patient not a criminal, I want to bravely walk out. Doctor is the judge, sentencing to death, but I am a patient not a criminal, I want to bravely go on living.” Whenever she reads the inspirational poems by Chou Ta-Kuan, she is filled with infinite courage and strength.
Wen-Wen’s family have a good wish that they can do charity in order to thank and repay the society. According to Wen-Wen, she expected that she could recover quickly and hoped that she could work and earn money after her disease was cured. Not only would she support the family and take care of her parents, but would distribute some of her monthly salary to do charity, help others and make herself happy.
Ms. He said that she was particularly grateful to so many people over the years. Also, she bore in mind everything they did, since Ms. She was already laid off without income and has not yet reached retirement age. Now, she needs to pay her own pension and health insurance each month. Ms. He was excited talking about her future plans: “I can receive a pension of more than RMB 1,000 each month if continuing to pay social security for two more years. I plan to allocate some money from the pension each month for charity in order to do charity, thank and repay the society, help others and make herself happy.”
Love and kindness can create miracles. We pray that the good wish of Wen-Wen and her family can be fulfilled.
Witness of Media -- Love from Taiwan Saves Wen-Wen
Perhaps Wen-Wen will indeed be saved this time!
January 7, 2015 Nanguo Metropolis Daily [Reporter Cheng-yong Hu]
“Doctor is the judge,
sentencing to life imprisonment,
but I am a patient not a criminal,
I want to bravely walk out.
Doctor is the judge,
sentencing to death,
but I am a patient not a criminal,
I want to bravely go on living.”
By Wen-Wen’s bedside, Mr. Chin-hua Chou, a caring people from Taiwan, affectionately recited a poem titled “Go On Living” written by his 9-year-old son to encourage Wen-Wen on the bed. “Come on! Cheer yourself up! We believe you can get through these difficulties! You can!”
Facing the comfort and encouragement of this strange uncle, Wen-Wen’s eyes brimmed with tears, and she answered with all her strength: “I will! Thank you! I certainly will!”
On the morning of January 6, what happened in the Affiliated Hospital Of Hainan Medical College moved Wen-Wen’s parents, the doctors and nurses present, and the staff with Taiwan Affairs Office Of Hainan Province accompanying Mr. Chin-hua Chou.
Mr. Chou comes from Taiwan’s Pingtung County. More than ten years ago, after bravely fighting against cancer for three years, his only 9-year-old son ended up passing away. Death of his son deeply touched Mr. Chou. In order to attain the unfulfilled wish of his son Chou Ta-Kuan of “love your life and live it happily”, Mr. Chou and his wife together with many caring people from home and abroad established the Chou Ta-Kuan Foundation in the name of his son. For more than a decade, this Foundation has been undertaking series of public service activities featuring the Fervent Global Love of Lives, and helped numerous children with cancer and patients with rare diseases around the world.
This visit of Mr. Chou to Hainan was primarily to investigate the possibility of building charitable nonprofit hospitals in Hainan. After arriving in Hainan on January 1, he happened to read the coverage about Wen-Wen on the Nanguo Metropolis Daily. Immediately, he thought of how his son fought against the disease in bed a decade ago. Therefore, Mr. Chou temporarily changed his schedule and visited and encouraged Wen-Wen with his brother and sister-in-law in hospital, and presented consolation money to Wen-Wen.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chou also expressed his willingness to help Wen-Wen contact Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Stem Cells Center for HLA (human leukocyte antigen) typing. The bone marrow bank is currently the largest one in Asia, and HLA typing there has a much larger chance of success. If the typing is successful, the Foundation can fund Wen-Wen to receive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Taiwan.
“People across the strait are as close as a family, and compatriots across the strait should together do such caring things!” Before going to the airport, Mr. Chou told the reporter that “The newspaper did a good deed. I hope that your coverage can encourage an increasing number of people to offer caring services and to help more people in need.”
According to Hai-Yuan Chou, attending physician of Wen-Wen, in fact, four years ago, she had suggested allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to Wen-Wen, but due to lack of money, Wen-Wen disapproved of this plan. Today, since Wen-Wen’s conditions relapsed and the chemotherapy alone produces little effect, the only hope now is to perform allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. “Perhaps Wen-Wen will indeed be saved this time!” Dr. Chou stated.
Awardees of Fervent Global Love of Lives Award- 26th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2023
- 25th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2022
- 24th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2021
- 23rd Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2020
- 22nd Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2019
- 21st Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2018
- 20th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2017
- 19th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2016
- 18th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2015
- 17th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2014
- 16th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2013
- 15th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2012
- 14th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2011
- 13th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2010
- 12th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2009
- 11th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2008
- 10th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2007
- 9th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2006
- 8th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2005
- 7th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2004
- 6th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2003
- 5th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2002
- 4th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2001
- 3rd Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2000
- 2nd Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 1999
- 1st Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 1998
- Fervent Global Love of Lives Award
- Literary Composition Award
- Melody of Hope Award and Scholarship
- Cancer Fighting Wish Scholarship
