The heartbreaking tale of a father burying his 2-year-old daughter has moved the online community to tears.
The heartbreaking story of a father, who dug a grave for his 2-year-old daughter, has moved many to tears online. The little girl, diagnosed with a terminal illness, may not have long to live.
According to her father, Zhang Liyong, the reason for this painful task was to help his daughter gradually adjust to the coldness of the grave, in the hope that the transition would be easier if the worst happened.
On June 23rd, Zhang Liyong, 24, from Jiuzu Yan village in Neijiang town, Sichuan province, China, had to dig the grave by himself for his daughter, Zhang Lei.
The reason was that she suffers from congenital anemia, a condition that requires regular blood transfusions.
Unfortunately, the family’s financial situation has made it impossible to afford the treatment she needs.
Zhang Lei, diagnosed with congenital anemia at only 2 months old, has required constant medical attention ever since.
Her family has spent over 140,000 yuan (approximately $20,000) on her treatment, but Liyong’s monthly salary of just 2,500 yuan (around $350) is insufficient to continue paying for her care.
Despite their efforts, Lei’s health continues to worsen, and her weakened immune system leads to frequent illnesses.
As a result, she is isolated from other children in the village and often spends her time playing alone with a puppy or talking to the ducks in the yard.
In a bid to save their daughter, Liyong and his wife, Deng Min, considered the possibility of stem cell treatment.
However, neither parent was a match for the required stem cells, so they decided to have another child, hoping to find a compatible donor. Deng Min is expected to give birth to their second child on July 7th.
However, even if a match is found, the cost for storing and transplanting the stem cells is a staggering 12,000 yuan ($1,600), a sum the family cannot afford.
Devastated and desperate, Liyong took the heartbreaking step of digging his daughter’s grave himself, believing it would help her become familiar with the coldness of the grave, preparing her if she didn’t survive.
The powerful image of Liyong lying in the grave he had just dug, holding his daughter, captured the hearts of many when it went viral on Chinese social media.
The Zhang family’s story spread rapidly, with many people moved by the father’s devotion to his daughter.
Calls for financial support to help cover the costs of Zhang Lei’s treatment flooded in, as many netizens expressed their sorrow and admiration for the family’s strength.
The story has deeply affected countless people, leading many to reflect on their relationships with their own loved ones.
