During the academic forum on “New Strategies for Cancer Treatment” held in the Multi-purpose hall at Fuda Cancer Hospital-Guangzhou on December 12th, 2008, Prof. Kecheng Xu, the president of the hospital and Betty Lao, a friend from the Philippines, held a fundraising event for Maria, a cancer patient from the Philippines.
Maria came from a poor family in the Philippines. Unfortunately she suffered from ovarian cancer with metastasis of liver and lung. In her quest for treatment, she sold the only property that she had, a house, for US $7,000.00. With an air ticket sponsored by a friend, she flew to Guangzhou to seek treatment at Fuda Cancer Hospital. She had her ovaries removed, cryosurgery with argon-helium knife and CHHP chemotherapy etc. After a month of treatment, her condition was finally under control. On December 2008 she came again for immunotherapy and other follow-up care.
Professor Xu donated the cash prize of RMB 15,000 that he was awarded at the 35th Annual Conference of the Japan Society for Low Temperature Medicine. Dr. Lizhi Niu donated his cash prize of RMB 5,000 that he received recently at the 4th North-South Lung Cancer Forum of China. Their generous act inspired Betty Lao--an invited guest from the Philippines for the official opening ceremony of Fuda~s new hospital block--to donate $5,000 USD.
Maria was very touched by the selfless generoisty shown and shed tears of gratitude. She thanked all the doctors, nurses and staff of the hospital. She firmly believed she would be able to live a long and healthy life. She warmly hugged Prof. Xu, Dr. Niu, Betty Lao and every doctor and nurse present at the fundraising event.
Dr. Niu donating his cash prize
Maria showing the two mock cheques from Prof. Xu and Dr. Niu
Betty Lao comforting Maria
Staff members of Fuda Cancer Hospital comforting and encouraging Maria