Love beyond Borders

Blood donation certificates testify to Zhang Bao’s contribution to society.

Committed Donor

After the preliminary matching test Zhang Bao was in a car accident in March 2009, which injured his head and chest and left him with several fractures. He stayed in hospital for nearly one month and received rehabilitative therapy for several more. In November that year, he was told by the CMDP that the Korean patient was in a critical situation and their bone marrows matched in more tests.

After surviving the car accident, Zhang Bao deeply understood how vulnerable and precious life is, strengthening his determination to donate marrow. “In a sense, I am the only person in the world who can save his life and I cannot stand aside.” Then Zhang repeated his words, later quoted by President Xi: “Fate is unpredictable. It’s not a big deal to lend a hand when others are suffering.”

The bone marrow harvest was held in Beijing Daopei Hospital on January 14, 2010. Zhang Bao had to receive nine injections before the five-hour operation. Zhang’s HSCs were finally collected and transferred by CMDP staff to their Korean counterparts. He was the first person from Hubei to donate marrow to a recipient overseas.

Information on donors and recipients is confidential by law, but Zhang Bao has always hoped to learn about the Korean patient and prayed for his health. “Love is beyond borders. What I did is nothing special. I believe other people would do the same,” Zhang said.

When President Xi delivered the July speech in Seoul, Zhang was working on a construction site as usual. He was not aware that he had been praised by the president until he received phone calls from the press later that day. “I am delighted and thrilled, and did not expect to be mentioned by the president during his visit to South Korea.” Until now Zhang has seldom talked about his marrow donation.

The Greatest Joy

Apart from donating blood and bone marrow, Zhang Bao has also sponsored several impoverished students over the years. Since 2004, Zhang has donated nearly RMB 50,000 to over 10 students.

Many of them wrote to Zhang to express their gratitude. Lu Guanghong from Huangzhong Duoba Middle School of Qinghai Province wrote in his letter: “Brother Zhang, I bought 10 reference books with the money you sent. Holding these books, I am strongly motivated to work harder. I have made up my mind to pay back the country the way you do when I grow up.” Liu Wenfang, Lu’s schoolmate, wrote: “Brother Zhang, I will never give up my future. I am determined to work hard and repay society with outstanding academic performance.”