A MAN in Shenzhen who was diagnosed with gastric cancer 12 years ago has been serving as a volunteer over the past four years to help others in his community in Pinghu, Longgang District.

Born in 1970, Feng Yongde, an employee of Shenzhen Chang-ying Metal and Plastic Products Co., was diagnosed with gastric cancer in 2005. Doctors said Feng had six months to live.

In the year after a surgery that removed his stomach, Feng experienced severe difficulties with eating. As a result, he had to go to a hospital six times a year to clean out his intestines. In 2008, a tumor the size of a soup bowl was found on his liver and Feng was told he had only one month to live.

Despite the illness, Feng registered as a volunteer in July 2013 as a traffic guide serving at big social events in Pinghu. In September 2015, Feng led a volunteer team in guiding traffic and helping children cross the street near Exi Primary School. The team has expanded to have 248 volunteers.

Feng also organized the parents of students at Exi Primary school to donate blood. In June last year, the volunteer team donated 27,000 milliliters of blood, and on June 25 this year, the volunteers donated 30,000 milliliters, according to a report of the Shenzhen Evening News.

Since December last year, Feng has undergone six intervention surgeries. His experience of fighting against cancer has helped Feng become more and more optimistic as he believes in helping himself by helping others.

(Han Ximin)