Bone cancer survivor pursues public speaking dream

During China Daily "21st Century Cup" National English Speaking Competition award ceremony, the second prize winner of the college category, Zhao Deyu gave an inspiring speech based on his story.

Zhao found six years ago that he had contracted bone cancer, a disease in which few people ever recover. He spent years in the hospital fighting, waking up to unimaginable pain. Born in 2000, Zhao had to undergo 21 rounds of chemotherapy and 3 surgeries. Due to finances his parents had to work and couldn't stay with him at the hospital. For him, everything felt bleak, he wondered if life would ever get better.

However, he was able to overcome the cancer and return to school, until one day a fall led him to the unfortunate reality that he must amputate his left leg. Facing a choice that carries social and psychological trauma, Zhao bravely went ahead and amputated the leg. He pleads for others to not let the bad overcome all, "have faith in yourself and do not let bad moments drag you down…others can give you strength but only you can win this battle."