On June 10th, Xiao Ding, a young man from Huainan City, donated his hematopoietic stem cells at the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China (Anhui Provincial Hospital), bringing new hope of life to a patient in Kazakhstan. During the handover ceremony for the donation of hematopoietic stem cells organized by the China Marrow Donor Program (CMDP), it was revealed that Xiao Ding is the first volunteer from the China Bone Marrow Program to donate hematopoietic stem cells to a country participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

In October 2019, shortly after enrolling at Anhui University of Science and Technology, Xiao Ding made a solemn "pact of life" during a voluntary blood donation event—donating blood and having his hematopoietic stem cell samples collected to join the China Marrow Donor Program (CMDP), becoming a potential stem cell donor.

In April this year, Xiao Ding, who was working in Shanghai, received a phone call from the Huainan City Red Cross informing him that his blood sample had successfully matched with a patient. Upon learning that the recipient was a patient from Kazakhstan, Xiao Ding was filled with anticipation: "I hope my 'seeds of life' can help the patient recover and live a healthy, happy life."

On the morning of June 10th, lying on the collection bed, Xiao Ding calmly watched as hematopoietic stem cells were separated from his body. He told reporters, "During the donation, my heart was steady and calm. It makes me very happy to know that my small contribution can light up a beacon of hope for the patient in Kazakhstan!"

"This is not only a donation, but also a transmission of love, spreading new hope for life within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative," said a responsible person from the Red Cross Society of China.

At the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China (Anhui Provincial Hospital), after three hours of collection, Xiao Ding successfully donated his hematopoietic stem cells. This "seed of life" will traverse thousands of miles to reach the side of the patient in Kazakhstan in the first instance.

Following Zhang Bao, the first foreign-related donor in Anhui Province and the first hematopoietic stem cell donor from Huainan City, new "Zhang Baos" have continuously emerged in Anhui. Up to now, a total of six volunteers in Anhui Province have made cross-border donations of hematopoietic stem cells, delivering the hope of life to patients in countries such as South Korea, the United States, and Kazakhstan.

"Though we have never met and are separated by thousands of miles, we share such a special bond... I come from China, and I wish you a speedy recovery so that you can embrace a wonderful life..." Xiao Ding wrote in his letter to the patient.

Journalist's Note:

A bag of hematopoietic stem cells, a gift of life crossing national borders. Xiao Ding's benevolent act has illuminated the path to life for a patient in Kazakhstan, fostering friendship between the people of China and Kazakhstan.

From the "pact of life" made during his university years, and to the calm moment lying on the collection bed, Xiao Ding has demonstrated with his actions the compassion and responsibility deeply rooted in the Chinese nation's bloodline. This "seed of life," embarking from Anhui, China, transcends borders, planting seeds of friendship and hope across the vast lands of countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Source: Anhui Daily