MKsports surnamed Li, as Li lies on a hospital bed while undergoing hematopoietic stem cell collection on September 21, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of Liu" src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2025/2025-01-20/390d4b1d-f998-4217-8d42-1d75d5900de8.jpeg" />

Liu Zhengchen (left) sits beside a stem cell donor, surnamed Li, as Li lies on a hospital bed while undergoing hematopoietic stem cell collection on September 4, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of Liu

What can breathe new life into an elderly American woman battling a serious blood disease? Many answers may come to mind, but one that's hard to imagine is the gift of life from a stranger - a Chinese man she had never met but whose generosity would forever alter her fate.

On September 12, 2024, life-saving stem cells traveled through a needle and catheter, infusing the essence of life into a woman in Houston, teetering on the brink of life and death. Meanwhile, across the ocean, the donor - a 40-year-old man surnamed Li - was struggling to rise from his hospital bed after enduring four painful hours of stem cell extraction. 

Li never sought to be a hero, nor did he wish to gain reputation for his kindness; he simply wanted to help a person suffering from a blood disorder. His act of generosity became a poignant testament to the simple yet profound friendship that can exist between people from different corners of the world, and specifically between China and the US.

On January 10, a charity event to raise awareness about blood and hematopoietic stem cell donation was held in Beijing, gathering Chinese and American medical experts, charity representatives, dedicated blood donation volunteers, and diplomats. Through engaging scientific presentations, heartfelt personal stories, and lively discussions, the event sought to deepen public understanding of blood and stem cell donation from both scientific and humanistic angles. A standout moment was sharing of this cross-border relay of stem cell donation. 

From the initial screening to the successful transplantation, this was more than a medical achievement; it was a life-affirming relay that spanned oceans. Kristen Gonzalez, a health science coordinator for the United States Department of Health and Human Services in China, underscored in her address at the event that this cross-border donation not only showcased the successes of medical collaboration between the two countries, but also epitomized the essence of human solidarity and cooperation.

Liu Zhengchen (left) and the stem cell donor, surnamed Li Photo: Courtesy of Liu

'I am lucky to still be able to save others'

In 2012, Li registered as a voluntary stem cell donor in response to a call from his alumnus from his alma mater Peking University, Liu Zhengchen, the founder of the Sunshine Bone Marrow Donor Registry, an organization dedicated to promoting altruistic bone marrow donation. Little did Li know that 12 years later, he would receive a call from the registry informing him that he was a perfect match for a woman battling Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a type of rare blood cancer, thousands of kilometers away in the US.

Without any hesitation, he made his decision: He would help save a woman whose life hung in the balance. In that moment, the distance between them faded, and the bond of humanity shone brightly, illuminating the path of hope that connected their lives in ways they could never have imagined.

After reassuring his mother, who was deeply worried about his health and safety, he set off on his donation journey from his hometown Northeast China's Shenyang to Beijing on September August 30, 2024, accompanied by his parents, following a series of thorough medical examinations. The day marks the 10th World Marrow Donor Day.

"Some people say it's as painful as giving birth. So, my mom was especially anxious at first," Li told the Global Times. To ease her concerns, Li showed his mother educational videos explaining the process and its safety. "I wanted her to understand that this was a chance to save a life, and that my health would be fine," he said.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is an effective treatment for hematological tumors, including leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. The human body possesses a remarkable ability to regenerate hematopoietic stem cells, according to medical experts in media reports.

As the stem cells flowed from Li's body into the collection bag, a connection was forged - one that transcended borders, cultures, and language barriers between China and the US. Li's act of kindness was not just a medical procedure; it was a lifeline thrown across the ocean, a bridge built on hope and compassion.

According to medical protocols, cell counting occurs after the first day of collection. If the quantity falls short of the transplant hospital's requirements, additional collection will occur the next day, with cells from both days being transported together. The transport team will book flights for both days and pre-apply to customs for clearance of hematopoietic stem cells, requesting exemptions from X-ray inspections for the transport boxes at the airport to ensure meticulous handling. Fortunately, Li's health indicators were excellent, allowing for enough cells to be collected on the same day, said Wang Jing, a project officer from the Sunshine Bone Marrow Donor Registry.

"The viability of hematopoietic stem cells decreases once they leave the human body, so minimizing the time from collection to transplantation is crucial. With confirmation of adequate cells on the same day, we quickly coordinated with US transport personnel coming to China, and with support from the hospital, the China Marrow Donor Program (CMDP), and Chinese customs, we successfully sent the cell samples across the border. This was a remarkable cross-border relay of goodwill between China and the US," said Wang. 

He also noted that the registry had contacted the US Embassy in China to prepare alternative plans for any unexpected transport issues, allowing for expedited visa processing if needed.

Liu, the founder of the registry, told the Global Times that finding a match is quite challenging. "For certain patients, locating a compatible marrow donor can be extremely rare. The patient in the US reached out to us through their national merit donor program in February 2024. The process of screening the donor and coordinating with the collection hospital takes a considerable amount of time. This was the only match that the patient in the US could find globally," Liu noted. 

"Hematopoietic stem cells are related to genetics, and the success rate of matching hematopoietic stem cells between different ethnic groups is very low. So we also feel amazed when we heard that stem cells from people of different ethnicities in two different countries can match as we do. It feels like a connection through blood, exemplifying the concept of a community of shared future for humanity in the field of health," said Liu.

Li told the Global Times that he considers himself "very fortunate to be still able to save lives." 

Li also conveyed his blessings to the American beneficiary through a note, in which he wrote, "You are the same age as my mother. What a coincidence! I wish eternal good health and happiness to both of you."

Stem cell sample Photo: VCG

Building bridges of friendship with cells

This isn't the organization's initial foray into cross-border donations. Since its inception, the Sunshine Bone Marrow Donor Registry has gathered nearly 3,000 donor profiles and supported over 900 patients from around the world. These success stories highlight a spirit of humanity that goes beyond national borders. In a world frequently marked by divisions and conflicts, these acts of generosity remind us of the common ground between China and the US.

At just 23 years old, Liu found himself facing a life-altering crisis. While pursuing his graduate studies at Peking University, he received the devastating diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia. After a failed bone marrow match with his younger brother, Liu was determined to not only fight for his own life, but to also help others battling similar fates. This resolve led him to establish the Sunshine Bone Marrow Donor Registry in 2002, a beacon of hope for patients in desperate need of transplants. 

Liu told the Global Times that when his registry was established, China did not have a large-scale, mature bone marrow bank. Therefore, from 2002 to 2006, his registry referenced many materials and guidelines from the US National Marrow Donor Program. Over the following decades, there have been exchanges with organizations like the American Cancer Society and the American Society of Hematology. "The marrow bank we built by learning from the US now gives back to the American people, benefiting them. It's like a relay of love. From learning to giving: Our marrow bank benefits all," he said, noting that the future of healthcare cooperation between China and the US is promising.

The story of Chinese hematopoietic stem cells aiding foreign patients is not a new one. The non-related hematopoietic stem cell donations from the Red Cross Society of China's Marrow Donor Program have officially surpassed 18,000 cases, including 383 cases donated to 31 countries and regions abroad. These donors embodied the spirit and the traditional virtues of the Chinese people, according to data given by the CMDP.

Due to the double-blind principle of the donation process, the Global Times was ultimately unable to reach the elderly woman in the US to hear her personal reflections on this life-changing experience.

But for Li and the elderly recipient in the US, their lives are forever intertwined by a single act of generosity. They may never meet in person, but their story is a powerful reminder of the bonds that can be formed through compassion and kindness. In a world that often feels disconnected, their journey illustrates the profound impact that one person can have on another, regardless of distance or background.

Looking to the future, Liu said he will continue to offer services to patients with hematological disorders worldwide, not only in the US. For him, it's a lifelong mission.

'It feels like a connection through blood'