Boy draws 30 tubes of blood for mother’s marrow donation test

Cao Xuanyi cooperated with doctors to take blood for testing.

Cao Song, 33 years old – the father of 10-year-old Cao Xuanyi, said that his son and grandfather traveled more than 400km to Suzhou (China) to have a blood test to see if he could donate bone marrow to his mother.

A video of Cao Xuanyi having 30 tubes of blood drawn, posted on China’s Douyin social network, has attracted more than 237,000 likes. Viewers can see Xuanyi’s steady eyes as medical staff draw blood from his arm.

“The boy used to be very afraid of pain, but this time he knew that to save his mother, he didn’t say a word,” said the father.

Mr. Cao’s family is from Anhui province, eastern China. Xuanyi and his 3-year-old brother had been living happily with their parents thanks to a small clothing store before the incident.

Cao Meixia, 33 years old, Xuanyi’s mother was diagnosed with leukemia in July 2020. Since then, they decided to close the shop, leaving 2 children in the care of their grandparents to focus on treatment at a Suzhou hospital.

They rented an apartment near the hospital, not knowing that it would be their home for the next 3 years. “We only went home to see our children 6-7 times in almost 3 years,” said Mr. Cao.

After 5 rounds of chemotherapy, Mr. Cao was relieved to see that his wife’s health had stabilized. But her condition relapsed in December last year.

Xuanyi said that his mother gave birth to him so he is indebted to her.

Now, the couple has given birth to another baby. The only treatment right now is a bone marrow transplant and the safest option is to find a successful transplant from within the family. After Ms. Cao’s brother’s bone marrow was proven to be mismatched, Mr. Cao suggested that the doctor examine the bone marrow of his eldest son Xuanyi.

“If there was another option, I wouldn’t ask my child to do this. I am heartbroken that my baby is so small and thin, even though the doctor assures me that it will not affect his health.”

Fortunately, Xuanyi’s bone marrow matched Cao’s well. Currently, the boy is at home, waiting for the hospital to call to perform the surgery. In the meantime, Xuanyi must keep his health in top condition.

“Because my mother gave birth to me, I am indebted to her. I want my mother to come home so that I can live happily every day.”

Before this touching story, many people shed tears and praised Xuanyi.

Dang Duong(According to SCMP)