A charity campaign in Yuejing Village, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, aims to save the life of Liu Gao, who has been hospitalized after his spine started bleeding.
A money-raising activity was recently held in the village, where more than 100 villagers, ranging in age from 5 to 91, collected more than 3,000 yuan ($405).
Liu, a migrant worker from Zhile County, is popular in the village for his many acts of kindness.
An example of this is his treatment of Li Zhenming, a local woman who lived with a man and gave birth to a boy with a serious kidney disease.
Li's boyfriend eventually abandoned the pair, leaving the poor woman to look after not only her sick child, but also her elderly grandmother and parents.
Liu stepped into the breach and the two started a relationship.
"I knew I could help the poor family out," Liu told the Chengdu Evening News.
Prior to their wedding, Li's 1-year-old son had to be hospitalized, as his condition worsened. Liu Gao spent all his savings, more than 30,000 yuan ($4,000), on medical treatment.
The boy improved, they married and Liu worked hard for the family, which lived happily for the past few years.
In October, however, Liu, suddenly fell to the ground while working and lost consciousness. Doctors discovered his spine was bleeding, as it was deformed.
The family was in despair once again. Neighbors who knew Liu started spreading his story and soon a number of people in the village were helping out.
One resident, Nai Shuzhen, borrowed 8,000 yuan ($1,000) and gave it to Liu.
"I don't care when Liu pays me back. As long as he recovers the family will have a better life," Nai told the newspaper.
Two money-raising activities will be held soon. Additionally, the local authority will give Liu benefits under the social security system, which will help him pay for his medical expenses.
(China Daily, December 5, 2007)
