An emotional graduation ceremony has been held solely for one student in China who missed the official event because he was donating stem cells.
On June 14, the Jingdezhen Ceramic University in Jiangxi province, southeast China, organised the special event for Xie Zhilong, whose physical education degree course began in 2020.
Despite hosting for just one graduate, the ceremony was conducted with full honours.
A trending online video shows Xie walking onto the stage where the vice-principal and other university staff performed the traditional tassel-turning ceremony especially for him.
Xie had missed his official graduation on June 13 because he was undergoing a stem cell donation at the Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital in Nanchang, which took four hours.
As a regular blood donor, Xie had registered with the China Marrow Donor Programme during his university years and was matched with a patient suffering from a blood disease.
Despite suffering from severe hematophobia – an extreme, irrational fear of blood – he went ahead with the donation, wearing an eye mask to help him cope with the challenge.
Xie received a heartfelt, handwritten thank-you letter from the recipient.
“Upon learning that I had a severe blood disease, I fell into despair and helplessness. I thought I would never escape the pain. Just when I was feeling hopeless, you appeared and gave me a second chance at life.
“Your kindness has filled me with warmth and hope. May your good actions be recognised and respected by more people, and may your life be filled with joy and happiness,” the recipient wrote.
Xie said that although he had never met the recipient, he felt a strong connection.
“I am willing to use my efforts to extend this life, passing on love and warmth,” he said.
Upon graduation, Xie decided to enlist in the army, fulfilling a childhood dream.
“Defending the country is a very cool thing. I hope to continue moving forward bravely in the future,” he said.
Xie’s story, as reported by state media CCTV, moved many online, with people lauding his actions and the university’s considerate gesture.
“Thank you for your selfless contribution and great spirit of love, and thanks to the school for giving him this precious moment,” one person said.
“A loving student and a loving school, the warmth of the world needs to be passed on,” said another.
