A devastating story about a young father forced to dig a grave for his terminally ill 2-year-old daughter has touched the hearts of people across the internet. His heartbreaking reasoning — to help his daughter gradually become familiar with the cold ground where she may one day rest — has sparked an emotional outpouring online.
On June 23rd, 24-year-old Zhang Liyong, from Jiuzu Yan village in Neijiang Town, Sichuan Province, China, took the unimaginable step of preparing a burial site for his little girl, Zhang Lei.
Diagnosed with congenital anemia at just two months old, Zhang Lei requires regular hospital visits and blood transfusions to survive. Since her diagnosis, the family has exhausted every financial resource they have in an effort to keep her alive. The cost of medical care has now surpassed 140,000 yuan (around 465 million VND), while Liyong’s monthly income as a laborer is only 2,500 yuan (roughly 8.3 million VND) — far from enough to continue treatment.
Despite their desperate situation, Zhang Liyong and his wife, Deng Min, have clung to a glimmer of hope. Doctors informed them that a stem cell transplant could potentially save their daughter. Tragically, neither parent is a match. In a last effort, the couple decided to try for another child in hopes the newborn could provide compatible stem cells. Deng Min is expected to give birth to their second child on July 7th.
Even so, the financial burden remains crushing. The cost of collecting, preserving, and transplanting stem cells is an additional 12,000 yuan (about 40 million VND) — a sum the family simply cannot afford.
Faced with despair and the looming reality of losing his daughter, Liyong began digging a grave by hand, hoping that by spending time there with her, she would not fear it. In one now-viral image, the grieving father is seen lying in the grave beside his daughter — a moment that has brought many to tears.
The story quickly spread across Chinese social media, with thousands expressing sympathy and admiration for the family’s love and sacrifice. Many have called for donations and assistance to help give Zhang Lei a chance at survival.
Moved by the story, countless netizens have shared how it deepened their appreciation for their own parents and children. The bond between father and daughter, captured in such a tragic moment, has resonated deeply with people everywhere.
