Profiles

Magnate nods to dad's urgent SOS letter

By Jessie Tao (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2006-01-24 17:24

Grieved at the heartbroken news, Liu was also much concerned with the huge medical expense, which amounts to 2,000 yuan (US$248) a day.

"Over 60,000 yuan have gone within only a couple dozen days. What can we do in the coming days?" asked Liu in a shivering voice.

It is truly a big sum, especially considering that the family reaps an annual income of only 4,000 yuan. During an interview with the newspaper, Liu took out a notebook, on which they kept a list of their debts to relatives and friends.

"Whenever a doctor calls for the family members of any patient, I feel nerve-racking." Liu's wife said. In China, usually when a doctor calls a person, it means bad news or even money.

Liu and his wife calculate the arrival date of the mails. [China Business Morning View]

The wife also revealed they have an 18-year-old son, who is currently working outside the city as a migrant worker. In early 2004, she unexpectedly became pregnant. She once sought an abortion in a downtown hospital, but was refused because of an irregular heartbeat.
　　
On January 10 this year, Liu read about Shi Zhengrong from a feature, He Became a Magnate Overnight, in a local newspaper. Soon after reading the story, he began to write a letter to the magnate, detailing his dire situation and asking for help.

Failing to get any reply after a week, Liu wrote to another five magnates he had heard of, including Huang Guangyu, Chen Tianqiao, and Ding Lei.

When asked if he felt disappointed at failing to get any reply, Liu said, "I was a bit disappointed at first, but upon second thought, I chose to turn to more magnates. I have no other choice, as my only goal is to save my child's life."

Through inquiry at the Express Mail Service (EMS) Department of the State Post Bureau, it has been learned that Liu's SOS letters to the other five magnates have been mailed through EMS, and are likely to be received today.