Grateful to the Shaanxi Association

Shaanxi Association of Canada

2026/12/13

My daughter, Ding Hua, tragically passed away in Canada due to a ruptured hemangioma, leaving behind a five-year-old daughter. When we were on the verge of collapse, the Shaanxi Association of Canada provided us with assistance, helping us through this difficult time. Although more than ten years have passed, I still haven't forgotten that moment.

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On January 22, 2015, Ding Hua suddenly passed away due to a ruptured hemangioma. This unexpected tragedy left us helpless. At a hospital in Western Canada, we donated some of Ding Hua's organs, saving the lives of six Canadians.]

Upon learning of this news, the Shaanxi Association immediately reported it to the Chinese Embassy in Canada. President Yao Xiangmin, along with key members of the association, visited our home multiple times to offer condolences and comfort us, urging us not to grieve too much. President Yao Xiangmin said, "Although your daughter left you unexpectedly, we deeply sympathize with and understand your feelings!" He held my hand, tears welling in his eyes, and said, "From now on, we are your children. With our hometown association, any problem can be solved!" I gripped President Yao's hand tightly, too moved to speak. Instantly, tears streamed down my face.

The hometown association divided into three groups: one for external liaison, one for receiving donations from kind-hearted individuals, and one for taking care of our daily needs and providing psychological counseling. Based on our new immigrant family's financial situation, the association appealed to everyone to donate and help us overcome our difficulties. President Yao also used various connections to find a job for his son-in-law, Wang Yiqi. Master Zhao Guoqiang made name tags for us at his printing factory, printed with my and my wife's names, addresses, and contact numbers, in case we got lost.

On the morning of March 19, 2015, the Shaanxi Hometown Association held a press conference. President Yao explained the donations received at the conference and handed over 50,000 Canadian dollars in donations. We immediately decided to use all the donations to purchase an education fund for my granddaughter, Wang Jiarui, to cover her future university expenses. With Ms. Wang Ronghua's help, the entire CAD 50,000 donation was used to purchase the education fund. With the warm and patient help and comfort of our fellow countrymen, we slowly emerged from our grief and returned to normal life.

Through the coordination and communication of the fellow countrymen, on the afternoon of March 23, 2015, Chinese Ambassador to Canada Luo Zhaohui met with us at the Consulate. On behalf of the Embassy and Consulate General, Ambassador Luo Zhaohui expressed his condolences. He said, "The Chinese people have a tradition of great kindness and beauty. Ding Hua's tragic accident saved the lives of six Canadians. Although it is extremely painful, her spirit is invaluable. She promoted the great love and virtue of the Chinese nation in a foreign land, perfectly embodying the traditional virtues of the Chinese people. She has contributed to the friendly relations between China and Canada, as well as to people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. We express our respect to her!" Xue Bing from the Consulate General in Toronto also expressed her condolences.

My granddaughter is 16 years old this year and is a sophomore in college. I often tell her, although your mother is gone, her spirit will live on forever in people's hearts. During our family's most difficult time, it was the Shaanxi Association and people from all walks of life who helped us; you must always remember that. She nodded and said to me, "Grandpa, I understand. When I have a job and an income in the future, I will also help those in need!" After saying that, she slung her schoolbag over her shoulder and walked towards the school. I watched her retreating figure with mixed feelings. More than ten years have passed, and this child has finally grown up and become sensible.