Chinese Man Donates Stem Cells to Save Canadian Leukemia Patient

By Matthew Bossons, March 1, 2019

A 36-year-old man in Guangdong became the first person in the province to donate hematopoietic stem cells internationally last month, according to China Daily. The man, named Guo Liyuan, was identified as a match to a Canadian leukemia patient by the Red Cross Society in October and he immediately agreed to become a donor “without any hesitation.”

Guo, who is employed at a packaging company in Dongguan, was checked into a hospital in Guangzhou on February 17 and underwent the cell collection procedure four days later. The collection process reportedly lasted for around five hours and the cells were immediately transferred to Canada after being removed from Guo’s body.

“I am really happy to be able to help and rescue a life, if not a family,” said Guo, according to China Daily, before adding that he hoped his story would encourage more to register with marrow databases.

Guo returning to work. Image via China Daily

Originally hailing from China’s Henan province, Guo was added to the China Marrow Donor Program’s list in 2014 while donating blood.

“It's just like donating blood. I hardly felt any pain,” said Guo of the marrow donation procedure.

According to a staffer from the Dongguan Red Cross Society, the chances of a finding a match for hematopoietic stem cells are very low, particularly between unrelated people from different countries.

To honor their colleague’s selfless behavior, Guo’s employer held a special ceremony for him the day after his donation. He was reportedly back at work less than one week after the operation.

[Cover image China Daily]