Young woman with bone cancer abandoned by family, signs surgical consent herself

Diagnosed with bone cancer on the cusp of university and abandoned by her family, Ha The Vi endured six surgeries alone, working to cover her medical expenses.

The story of Ha The Vi, a 23-year-old woman from a rural area in An Huy province, is sparking strong emotions across Chinese social media. Her journey details a solitary battle against bone cancer, according to SCMP on 23/1.

Chinese media reported that The Vi began experiencing unusual health symptoms before her university entrance exam in 2021. The 18-year-old student shared that she often suffered severe pain in her right leg, sometimes to the point where she "could not walk," yet she continued to study.

Despite losing a leg, The Vi remains optimistic and independent in life. *Photo: Douyin*

The Vi once fainted during her university math exam but persevered through the pain to complete it. After the exam, she sought medical attention and was diagnosed with bone cancer. One year later, her condition progressed rapidly. Her weakened body was exhausted by intensive chemotherapy, which caused side effects like hair loss, darkened skin, and constant vomiting. Doctors worked to improve her white blood cell and platelet counts, but to prevent the tumor from metastasizing, they were forced to amputate her right leg.

Beyond the physical agony of her illness, The Vi also faced the cold indifference of her own relatives. Her father never visited after she fell ill. Her mother initially agreed to take her to Beijing for treatment after her grandmother's plea, but soon viewed The Vi as a burden and completely cut off contact.

Without family support, The Vi did not give up. After being admitted to Hop Phi Normal University, she began writing online and crocheting handmade toys to sell on the street to fund her treatment. The Vi personally signed six surgical consent forms, saved money to buy a prosthetic leg, and traveled alone between cities in search of treatment opportunities.

The Vi makes handicrafts to sell, covering her medical and study expenses. *Photo: The Paper*

Early this year, The Vi faced another challenge as cancer cells metastasized to her ribs and pleura. She is currently undergoing intensive treatment at Thuy Kim Hospital in Shanghai, following a new chemotherapy and targeted therapy regimen.

Despite her body being covered in surgical scars, The Vi maintains an optimistic spirit. She created a social media account named "Ha Ha's Miracle" to share her treatment journey and daily life. Her resilience has touched millions of hearts, attracting over 460,000 followers. Many philanthropists have donated to help The Vi cover her medical expenses.

On her personal page, she asks fans to call her "princess" for strength. For her age, The Vi lists "100" as a symbol of her desire for healing and a long life. "Whatever big problem today, tomorrow it will be small. I want to live each day as if it's my last," The Vi shared.

Many social media users left encouraging comments, such as "Keep fighting, princess." One person wrote, "I just sent you some money. Promise me you'll persevere, overcome this adversity to graduate, find a job, and someday give back to these kind hearts." Additionally, many expressed indignation at her parents' actions. "Not everyone deserves to be a parent. Even without money, they should at least offer companionship. Wishing the young woman all the best," another user commented.