Lu Wenna, an auxiliary police officer, died on December 6 from a rare cancer after just one year of fulfilling her dream of being a policewoman. - Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
BEIJING (SCMP): Many on social media are mourning the death of a 25-year-old Chinese woman who tenaciously fought terminal cancer until it ultimately took her life.
Lu Wenna, an auxiliary police officer in southwestern China’s Yunnan province, passed away on December 6 from a rare form of cancer known as rhabdomyosarcoma, a type of soft tissue sarcoma.
Since her diagnosis in May last year, she had been responding positively to treatment and documenting her journey on her Douyin account, @bunana, where she had amassed 32,000 followers.
Despite her deteriorating physical condition, Lu inspired many with her passion for life.
In one video shortly before her death, she stated: “I want to live.”
In another video from November, she expressed gratitude to her online supporters: “Yunnan is warm in winter. There is sunshine, my mum’s love, my sister, and your company. I am satisfied.”
Lu faced significant challenges in her life. Her parents divorced and formed new families during her secondary school years, forcing her to grow up quickly and support herself.
In a video from November, she expressed her heartfelt gratitude to her online supporters, emphasising her appreciation for the simple things in life. - Photo: Handout / SCMP
Since secondary school, she had worked part-time to finance her studies, taking on various jobs as a salesperson, waitress, street vendor, and flier distributor.
Her hard work paid off when she was admitted to a local military school, and after graduation, she fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a police officer.
However, what she described as “the happiest time of her life” as a policewoman lasted only a year before she experienced sudden vision loss and postnasal drip with blood.
She lamented that her dream was “shattered” by the diagnosis of this fatal disease.
“I am only 24. I don’t want to surrender to fate,” she said.
Determined, Lu soon gathered her strength and actively pursued chemotherapy, enduring significant weight and hair loss in the process. Her mother came to care for her during this difficult time.
After her parents’ divorce, Lu was forced to mature quickly and took on part-time jobs to support her education. - Photo: Handout / SCMP
When she felt better, she visited Dianchi Lake in Kunming, Yunnan, to feed seagulls and travelled to Beijing to witness the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square.
Lu shared her experiences and treatment updates online, offering tips to others with similar conditions.
She expressed sadness when looking at her old photos, saying: “I can never go back to those days,” but added: “I love every day that I live.”
When an online observer asked why she continued treatment despite the pain, she replied: “I have hopes for miracles.”
After her passing, many expressed their grief and paid tribute to her on her account.
“Rest in peace. Salute to the brave cancer fighter,” one user wrote.
“I am sorry to learn about you in this way. I am deeply moved by your strong spirit. Thank you for the warmth you shared with us, and I wish you happiness in Heaven,” another commented. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
