When talking about cancer, people tend to think of an incurable disease, death and/or patients to be cared for. However, members of Zhuzhou Huamulan Anti-cancer Public Welfare Federation have shown the word (cancer) can be interpreted in different ways. Since the federation was set up, in 2013, more than 1,300 of its members, who are women cancer patients, have helped each other rekindle their love for life, and have provided voluntary services to other cancer patients in Zhuzhou, a city in Central China's Hunan Province.

Living Their Lives to Fullest

Wen Qibin, once a policewoman (in Zhuzhou), considered herself a strong woman; that is, until she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2012. She cried when the doctor gave her the results of her cancer-screening test. However, after she underwent a six-hour operation and the long, painful process of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, Wen's fear and despair gradually faded away, and she regained her confidence and optimism.

In September 2013, Wen established an online anti-cancer self-help association. With the help of Zhuzhou Women's Federation, she "updated" the organization into Zhuzhou Huamulan Anti-cancer Public Welfare Federation in November 2016. Wen named the federation after Hua Mulan, the legendary heroine during the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420–589), as she thought Hua symbolized bravery and confidence.

The federation in late 2016 initiated the Grateful Mothers Project, under which the organization's members, who were mothers, helped each other escape the "dark valley" in their lives. Many women stayed enthusiastic about life, so they could live their lives to the fullest.

Attracting Women to Contribute to Project

Wen is grateful for the support she has received from Zhuzhou Women's Federation, which provided both workplace and financial assistance to her, as she developed the project.

Given Wen's efforts to lead members of her team in helping cancer patients overcome their diseases during the past several years, an increasing number of women have joined the members in promoting the project's implementation. The team now has more than 1,300 members. As the story about Wen has gained greater attention, an increasing number of residents (including relatives of cancer patients, medical workers and cadres with the federation) have joined the members in sharing cancer patients' stories about fighting their diseases. As such, the residents and the members have helped raise women's awareness about the importance of taking care of themselves, and they have encouraged other patients to confront their cancer bravely and optimistically.

Saving Herself, Helping Others

During the past several years, the members have yielded fruitful results (in promoting the project's implementation) through their unremitting efforts. So far, 526 members, who have suffered from cancer for more than five years, have recovered. He Yijun, Vice-President of Zhuzhou Huamulan Anti-cancer Public Welfare Federation, is one of the 81 "anti-cancer stars" who have overcome their diseases that have afflicted them for more than 10 years.

Since she was diagnosed with rectal cancer in 1995, He has exercised regularly to improve her body's ability to fight the disease. "At first, I battled the cancer alone. During the past decade, I have shared my experience in fighting the disease with many cancer patients. That helped boost my confidence in overcoming the disease," recalls He.

In September 2021, He was diagnosed with breast cancer. During the past year, she has received help and loving care from various organizations, and from people from all segments of society (across the country). That has strengthened her determination to help more cancer patients fight their diseases, to repay society for the care and assistance she has received.

'Our Own Spring Festival Gala'

In addition to encouraging its members to communicate with each other, and to exercise more (to improve their health), the team often organizes various recreational activities to enrich the members' lives.

Since 2015, Zhuzhou Women's Federation and Zhuzhou Huamulan Anti-cancer Public Welfare Federation have held a gala, around Spring Festival (on the first day of the first lunar month), every year. During the annual gala, many members of the federation have performed (singing and/or dancing) to express their yearning to live life to the fullest, and to repay society and their families for the care and assistance they have received. All of the federation's members call the annual gala "our own Spring Festival gala."

During the past four years, the federation has arranged for members of the project team to participate in more than 200 public-welfare activities. The members have been pleased to offer help and loving care to those in need, rather than merely receiving others' care and assistance as patients.

"I hope, through the Grateful Mothers Project, more women cancer patients will help each other rekindle their love for life, so they will have more confidence in embracing challenges in their lives," says Wen.

"Like 'good medicine' for cancer, the members' encouragement (to each other) and the loving care of people, from all segments of society (across the country), have warmed the hearts of our members," says He.

Photos Supplied by Interviewee

(Women of China English Monthly May 2022 issue)