A life-saving gift: ZJU student donates stem cells to save a child

In October 2024, HUANG Qi, a graduate student at Zhejiang University School of Medicine, received a call from the Red Cross Society, informing her that her blood sample, registered in the hematopoietic stem cell donor database, had matched a child suffering from a blood disorder.

Without hesitation, Huang responded, “I’ve been prepared since joining the registry three years ago. This is a meaningful and positive endeavor. If I match, I’ll definitely step up!”

But as weeks passed without further news, Huang felt disheartened.“I thought maybe another volunteer had been selected,” she recalled. “I felt regretful that I couldn’t help.”  

Then, in December, the Red Cross Society reached out again. This time, there was urgency. The child’s condition had worsened, and the planned donation, scheduled after the Chinese New Year, had to be moved up—an unexpected complication, but one Huang was determined to face.

On January 13, 2025, Huang was called into action. The procedure, scheduled for after the holiday, was now set for the eve of the Chinese New Year. Despite the personal sacrifices this would entail, Huang remained resolute. “If I can help, I will,” she said. 

Although Huang had planned to return home early to spend time with her family, she postponed her trip and checked into the hospital five days ahead of the donation. Each morning and evening, she received injections of mobilization agents to stimulate stem cell release into her bloodstream. “The shots caused backaches and headaches. It was uncomfortable, but when I thought about the child, it all felt worth it,” she said.

On January 24, after over four hours of collection, Huang successfully donated 170 milliliters of hematopoietic stem cell suspension, a life-saving “New Year’s gift” for the young leukemia patient.  

From initial consent to final donation, any hiccup in the process could have derailed the effort. The process of matching a donor to a patient is a rare and complex task. Red Cross staff make nearly 600 matching calls on a monthly basis, yet only a handful result in actual donations. So, what kept Huang committed?  

“Last September, during our inaugural lecture, CAS Fellow HUANG Hefeng posed a question: ‘What contributions will you make?’ That question stuck with me,” Huang shared. “As a future pediatrician, saving this child in such a unique way feels profoundly meaningful.”  

“I’ve seen so many adorable children enduring tough treatments bravely. I desperately wish for their recovery,” she added. “Being able to help in critical moments fulfills my calling as a doctor.”

Even during her hospital stay, HUANG kept up with her academic work. “I aim to pursue a Ph.D.,” she explained. “As a doctor, constant growth is essential. Only by improving can I give patients true confidence in their care.”

Huang’s story, now widely covered by media, resonates as an example of selfless dedication. Yet she remains humble, saying, “I will keep learning from those around me. I’m just fortunate to have had the chance to help.”  

Looking back on the words of ZJU’s former president Chu Kochen, who famously asked: “What will you strive for at ZJU?” and “What kind of person will you become after graduation?”, Huang said these questions guide her journey. “I hope to find my answers through continuous exploration.”

Adapted and translated from the article by WU Wenbo and ZHANG Shufan
Translator: FANG Fumin
The partial content and photos are sourced from the Tide News, Zhejiang News, and the Hangzhou Release WeChat official account.    
Editor: TIAN Minjie