Ignoring anonymity fraught with risks

The story of Li Li donating stem cells for a second time to save Xiao Ying, an 18-year girl in Shanghai, from leukemia was splashed all over the Chinese media last week.

But Hong Junling, director of the China Marrow Donor Program (CMDP), had no inkling of it, till he read about it in the media.

"I am very impressed by Li's unselfish generosity, but personally I don't appreciate the way a donation between non-family members was arranged directly between the donor and recipient," says Hong.