True love, new liver

After a misunderstanding and a 14- year separation, two former childhood sweethearts will be married soon and he is hoping to give her the gift of life.

Fan Qianchuan plans to donate part of his liver to Zhang Yirong, his fiancée who is dying of cirrhosis of the liver. Under Chinese law, living organ donors are limited to spouses, relatives or other people close to the organ receiver. Previously, Zhang refused to marry Fan because she didn’t want to burden him, but despite her reluctance and extreme flak from Fan’s mother and his ex-wife the couple said they will tie the knot.

“Whether you want to marry me or not, I will always take care of you,” Fan told Zhang.

They had always intended to get married, but broke up and married others after a fight over Fan flirting with female friends. Fourteen years passed and Fan heard from his mother that his old flame was seriously ill and decided to reestablish contact. Phone calls followed, the romance was reignited and divorces were obtained.

They moved from Zigong, Sichuan Province to Chengdu where good hospitals were easily accessible, and started a noodle restaurant to pay for Zhang’s medical bills.

Doctors told Fan a liver transplant operation was Zhang’s last hope for survival. Fan decided to donate part of his liver to Zhang after he was tested and found he has the same blood type. And over the strong objections of his mother, who threatened suicide if he went through with his plan, and ex-wife (with whom he is still friendly) Zhang has begun preparing for the operation.

“My mother and ex-wife were medically ignorant,” he said. “Donating part of my liver will not undermine my health. Even if the operation affects me, I will do it to save her life anyway,” he said.

West China City Daily