‘My heart aches’: China girl, 5, dies of liver disease despite transplant from heartbroken father, triggering widespread public sympathy
- Girl endures serious genetic condition, painful treatment, transplant surgery
- Devoted single parent, migrant worker stages desperate life-saving bid
The tragic story of a five-year-old girl who died despite having transplant surgery when her devoted father – a single parent – donated part of his liver to her, has triggered an outpouring of online sympathy.
The health of Yiling, the little girl’s nickname, deteriorated rapidly on December 23 and she sadly passed away three days later at a hospital in southwestern China’s Chongqing municipality, according to a report by Red Star News.
The family attracted widespread attention last year when the father, surnamed Liang, who is a migrant worker, donated a section of his liver to give his daughter the chance to recover from her life-threatening illness.
Yiling was diagnosed with cholestasis in July 2022, a disease caused by a genetic mutation.
Her condition was so serious that her liver had become damaged and doctors recommended transplant surgery.
A successful operation took place in October and the little girl was discharged from hospital, returning to live with her father in their village in Wushan, a county administered by Chongqing municipality.