A 23-year-old Chinese woman who spent five years battling bone cancer, undergoing multiple major surgeries without family support, has died in Shanghai.
Known online as “Xiaxia”, she passed away in hospital on Oct 27, according to a close friend.
China Press reported that the woman, originally from Hefei, was diagnosed with bone cancer at the age of 18. She later shared her experience online, attracting widespread sympathy and encouragement from viewers.
Her mother, who had reportedly been out of contact with her for years, visited her before she died. Her friend is now helping to make the funeral arrangements.
Xiaxia had undergone six major operations throughout her illness, including a leg amputation when she was just 19.
Despite having little family support, she went through years of treatment and surgery largely on her own.
In a video posted on Jan 15, she revealed that she had been hospitalised again after cancer cells spread to her ribs and pleura, requiring further surgery.
Xiaxia first discovered she was ill in 2021 after fainting during her college entrance examinations.
She said doctors diagnosed her with malignant bone cancer and advised her to seek treatment in Beijing. However, her parents reportedly refused to take her there due to the high medical costs.
According to Xiaxia, her mother had described her as a burden to the family. Her mother later cut off contact with her, while her father reportedly never visited her, HK01 reported.
Despite the circumstances, Xiaxia remained determined to live independently and maintain a positive outlook.
She signed her own surgical consent forms, saved money to buy a prosthetic leg and travelled to different places in search of medical treatment.
When discussing her decision to have her leg amputated, she said sacrificing a limb to stay alive was worth it.
She also displayed “100” as her age on her Douyin profile, reflecting her hope of living to 100.
“Although doing this alone is truly very tough, I feel very lucky to receive support and encouragement from the media and everyone,” she said.
