After Successfully Donating Hematopoietic Stem Cells, This Military Doctor Received Two "Letters of Life"

The lights of Nanjing's Confucius Temple still flicker in the twilight, and the shimmering waves of the Qinhuai River reflect the romance of newlyweds. Military doctor Jia Peng from a unit of the Eastern Theater Command Air Force is on his honeymoon with his new wife Bi Qingwei, enjoying a sweet moment, when a phone call interrupts them. “Okay, I’ll set off right away!” Jia Peng replied decisively.

“Is there another task from the unit?” After the call ended, his wife softly asked. “This time, it’s really not,” Jia Peng smiled.

On the other end of the line was the China Hematopoietic Stem Cell Donor Registry (China Marrow Donor Program). Earlier this year, Jia Peng matched with a patient suffering from a blood disease and subsequently underwent high-resolution typing. This call was to inform him that the high-resolution typing was successful and that he had passed the medical examination, officially asking if he was willing to donate—Jia Peng firmly said, “I am willing.”

Donating hematopoietic stem cells is not a small matter; he needs to inject mobilizing agents for five consecutive days to “mobilize” the hematopoietic stem cells from the bone marrow into the peripheral blood, and then undergo a lengthy collection process using a blood cell separator. When he explained the process to his wife, Bi Qingwei, who is also a healthcare worker, she was silent for a moment and then simply said, “I’ll go with you.”

Thus, their honeymoon took a different path. They immediately set off for Fujian, heading straight to the collection room at the Affiliated Union Hospital of Fujian Medical University. After intense and meticulous preparations, the collection work officially began on the eve of the Dragon Boat Festival. Warm blood slowly flowed through the catheter into the machine, and the centrifuge emitted a steady and subtle hum.

After two days of collection, Jia Peng successfully donated over 500 milliliters of hematopoietic stem cell suspension. Staff from the local Red Cross took this precious “seed of life” to bring light to a blood disease patient far away, whom he had never met.

Due to the “double-blind” principle of hematopoietic stem cell donation, Jia Peng does not know the information of the recipient. However, he still took the time during the donation to write a letter to the recipient, asking the staff to take it along with the stem cells: “The journey of seeking medical treatment over the years must have been very difficult. I hope I can bring you help, and I wish you a speedy recovery, so you can enjoy the beautiful mountains and rivers of our country and experience the vibrant life of this prosperous world. Keep going!”

The probability of a successful match for hematopoietic stem cells between non-relatives is less than one in ten thousand. Yet, Jia Peng stood at the starting line of this “life relay,” as if it had been destined from the beginning. Since he first stepped onto a blood donation vehicle during his military academy days, he has donated blood 26 times, totaling over ten thousand milliliters, equivalent to twice the total blood volume of a person. In Jia Peng’s view, all of this stems from a very simple thought: as a soldier and a doctor, saving lives is an instinct ingrained in his bones.

At present, Jia Peng has returned to his familiar post, donning his white coat again, and his gentle voice can be heard in the consultation room.

At the same time, he has also received two “responses” of life. One is from the China Marrow Donor Program— the patient who received the hematopoietic stem cell donation has successfully undergone transplantation, and all indicators are stable, currently in recovery. The hematopoietic stem cells he donated have taken root in another body and are sprouting new leaves.

The other is from his wife, Bi Qingwei—although their honeymoon did not go as planned, the seed of new life has quietly begun to sprout. Now, a brand new life is on its way, carrying this blessing for humanity.

He said that his greatest wish now is for more people to join the ranks of hematopoietic stem cell donors. The more people who join the registry, the more lights will shine in the darkness; with more lights, a family can welcome the hope of dawn.

Jia Peng seized the one in ten thousand chance to send dawn to a life; now, his family is also welcoming a little sun.

If this story warms you, feel free to leave your blessings in the comments. We hope you can also click on “Read the original text” at the end of the article to visit the official website of the China Marrow Donor Program and join this relay of love.

May all those who light up the lamps also be gently illuminated by the lights of thousands of homes.

Author | Liu Yancheng