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Chinese dad sparks controversy after digging grave to help sick daughter cope with death

A father in southwestern China, who once dug a grave for his two-year-old ailing daughter, has transformed it into a flower garden after she made…

By Samantha Johnson / August 13, 2026

A father in southwestern China, who once dug a grave for his two-year-old ailing daughter, has transformed it into a flower garden after she made a remarkable recovery.

Zhang Xinlei, from Neijiang in Sichuan province, was born with severe thalassaemia, a blood disorder that requires lifelong transfusions and poses risks of developmental delays and heart complications.

The illness left the little girl largely isolated, often playing alone with her puppy or in a neighbour’s sand pile, as reported by the mainland media portal Guangming Net.

While a stem cell transplant can cure the condition, the challenge of finding a suitably matched donor remains a significant hurdle for many patients.

When Xinlei was just two years old, her family faced the daunting challenge of securing a matching donor and managing substantial medical costs for her treatment. Photo: Baidu
When Xinlei was just two years old, her family faced the daunting challenge of securing a matching donor and managing substantial medical costs for her treatment. Photo: Baidu

Xinlei’s father, Zhang Liyong, earned just 2,500 yuan (US$370) a month at a glass factory, and her medical bills exceeded 140,000 yuan (US$21,000) over two years, depleting the family’s savings despite generous donations from fellow villagers.

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