In Memory of A Xing: Establishing the "Xiang Xiaoxing Outstanding Volunteer Award"

A Xing, an outstanding volunteer and spiritual leader of the Panda Group, passed away on June 4, 2025, at the age of 42.

In his youth, A Xing was restless and uninterested in academics. As a young man, he embarked on a series of entrepreneurial ventures, running a leather shoe factory and manufacturing pharmaceutical equipment, which earned him the title of "Wenzhou Outstanding Young Entrepreneur." He enjoyed a happy family life with a bright and lovely daughter. For the sake of her education, the entire family relocated from Wenzhou to Hangzhou.

In 2017, A Xing was unfortunately diagnosed with colon cancer. Less than six months after surgery, he developed multiple liver metastases. Following liver metastasis surgery in 2018, the cancer quickly recurred. Multiple ablation procedures failed to achieve a cure, and by 2019, he faced multiple lung metastases. During the first two years of treatment, A Xing felt desperate and spared no expense, seeking out the most renowned hospitals and opting for the most costly regimens. Unfortunately, his treatment journey was fraught with bad luck and many detours.

The Optimistic Cancer-Fighting Journey of a Panda Star

Before his illness, A Xing led a busy social and professional life. After becoming a cancer patient, he chose not to share his true condition with friends, fearing it would not only fail to help but also cause unnecessary complications. As a businessman, he was particularly sensitive to this reality: a cancer diagnosis often leads to a decline in social credit. Creditors might demand early repayment, while debtors might find ways to delay payments. Consequently, A Xing stepped away from his former circles to fight cancer full-time on his own.

At the end of 2019, A Xing joined the Panda Group. With the support of fellow patients, especially Teacher Chen Tuo, he gained a clear understanding of his condition and refined his treatment approach. After standardized neoadjuvant therapy, he underwent another curative liver resection in 2020, remaining tumor-free for several years.

Regarding his lung metastases, A Xing traveled to the First Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University in 2021 to participate in a CAR-T clinical trial. After enduring a severe cytokine release syndrome, he achieved excellent results, with his tumors disappearing for 11 months. His story of participating in and benefiting from clinical research became a legend within the Panda Group.

The "Black Magic" of a Panda Star's Cancer Fight

In 2022, his lung metastases recurred. Building on stable systemic chemotherapy, A Xing pursued aggressive local treatments. As he put it, "tackle it wherever it pops up." He underwent multiple ablations and radiotherapies, achieving relatively positive outcomes. A Xing rarely felt anxious; he quickly accepted the reality of recurrence and metastasis, promptly deciding on the next steps in his treatment.

A Xing's proactive approach to local treatment inspired many patients across the Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai regions to follow suit, traveling to Hangzhou for medical care and supporting each other in their cancer journeys.

Throughout his treatment, A Xing built relationships of mutual trust and smooth communication with his attending physicians. Whether at Zhongshan Hospital in Shanghai, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, or Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, the medical staff were always willing to give him extra care, treating him with VIP-level attention.

A Xing deeply loved life and all its beautiful things. He enjoyed collecting Yixing clay teapots, drinking tea, and savoring fine food. After purchasing a new home in 2022, he meticulously oversaw every renovation detail himself. Dissatisfied with his skin condition after chemotherapy, he invested in high-end skincare products and various aesthetic treatments. His conversations with beauty-conscious women often revolved around skincare routines.

Known for his generosity and warm-hearted nature, A Xing loved gathering friends and always insisted on paying the bill, no matter who he dined with. He naturally became a key organizer for offline events in Hangzhou and Wenzhou.

Whenever I visited Hangzhou or Wenzhou, A Xing would book hotels for me to the highest standards and accompany me to meals, making me almost feel too embarrassed to visit again.

After falling ill, A Xing transitioned from a young entrepreneur to someone without formal employment, experiencing a profound shift in his perceived social value. As someone who could never sit idle, he constantly sought ways to prove his worth.

A Xing deeply empathized with the confusion and anxiety that follow a cancer diagnosis. When I mentioned that Zhejiang had already begun reimbursing part of the cost for cetuximab in 2017, while he was paying 60,000 to 70,000 RMB out-of-pocket per month in Shanghai, he was deeply pained. He realized profoundly how much information asymmetry impacts patients.

Thus, A Xing became an active responder in the Panda Group, helping newly diagnosed patients and their families. He was not a research-oriented patient who pored over academic papers; instead, his guidance stemmed from personal experience. Fully aware of his own knowledge boundaries, he would consult me, Yu Shen, or other administrators for uncertain questions. The groups he managed were always filled with a joyful, relaxed, and open-minded atmosphere.

Through helping others, A Xing found joy and a sense of purpose. He regarded answering questions in the Panda Group as a vital responsibility. Before each chemotherapy session, he would always "hand over his duties" to Daqi, saying, "I'll be away for a few days; please keep a special eye on so-and-so in the group..."

With his optimism and wisdom, A Xing helped countless patients and families. He gradually grew into an administrator for Panda Groups 3, 7, the Liver Metastasis Group, and the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai Group, becoming a core organizer of the Panda community.

A Xing thought deeply about the future of the Panda Group and consistently advocated for its formalization and institutionalization. He believed that relying solely on a few individuals' passion was unsustainable. Only by registering as a legal entity, generating independent revenue, and hiring full-time staff could the organization operate long-term. Thanks to his efforts, third-party collaborative projects involving nutritional powders, probiotics, and genetic testing were successfully launched, benefiting many group members.

In the second half of 2024, A Xing developed brain metastases. Due to the tumor's location, curative surgery and high-dose radiotherapy were not feasible.

Around the Spring Festival, A Xing began experiencing unsteady walking and often needed care from fellow group members. One day, Weihua suddenly informed me that A Xing had fallen and injured himself at a hotel.

Although A Xing commanded great respect and support within the group, he was ultimately a young man fighting cancer alone. Especially after his divorce in 2022, he made all treatment decisions himself. Whether for chemotherapy, ablation, radiotherapy, or surgery, he went alone, asking fellow patients accompanying him to sign consent forms as family members.

When I Reached 5 Years Tumor-Free, I Went to Get My Divorce Certificate

As a series of brain metastasis symptoms emerged, A Xing felt increasingly overwhelmed and harbored a faint sense of foreboding. He wanted to hire someone knowledgeable in oncology care who could look after him and help with decision-making, but never found a suitable match. Consequently, he suffered several falls and injuries at hotels.

Later, he received palliative radiotherapy and mannitol injections to reduce intracranial pressure, with his condition fluctuating.

Before the May Day holiday, A Xing said goodbye to me, explaining that he had made his decision to stop active treatment. He was simply too exhausted and chose to enter hospice care. We talked for a long time, with him sharing detailed arrangements for group matters. Finally, he sent me some photos he was particularly proud of, saying, "If you ever write a memorial piece, you can use these."

During the May Day holiday, he was transferred to a hospice hospital in Wenzhou. As the hospital was less familiar with managing cancer complications, many friends—Wenhao, Qiuyu, Xiaonan, Fugui, Caicai, D.X., Jinlong, Daqi, Jing X, and others—spontaneously took turns visiting him, keeping him company, and helping resolve minor issues.

Before the Dragon Boat Festival, when I visited him at the Wenzhou hospice, he was bedridden and unable to move. He spent most of his days in a drowsy state, with intermittent periods of clarity. Though his mind remained sharp, the pressure from the brain metastases made his speech slurred and difficult to understand.

During his lucid moments, I jokingly asked if he still smoked. He could still mimic the gesture of smoking and, though mumbling, tried to express his wish to treat us at his favorite seafood restaurant and even insisted on booking me a room at the Shangri-La Hotel. My mind was filled with memories of his playful teasing every time we met: "Senior brother, you've gained weight again."

As everyone was somewhat dissatisfied with the hospice hospital's ability to manage his symptoms, Director Guo Liwen helped coordinate with the Interventional Radiology Department at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University for biliary drainage. He was subsequently transferred to their oncology department for inpatient care.

After the Dragon Boat Festival, Ruirui told me that Brother Xing had vomited blood. He passed away on June 4.

During his lifetime, A Xing was deeply averse to seeing fellow group members pass away, and he did not want his own passing to dampen the spirits of newly joined patients. For this reason, we initially refrained from publicly announcing his death in the group.

However, as a core member and spiritual leader of the Panda Group, A Xing helped countless patients and families over the past six years. He comforted many lonely and anxious hearts and inspired numerous individuals to face cancer bravely. His efforts significantly advanced the formalization of the Panda Group, making him an indispensable and vital part of our community.

Therefore, we feel a responsibility to inform those who cared about him, so that everyone who loved and supported A Xing can know of his contributions and join us in honoring this brave soul who brought hope and strength to so many.

Over his eight-year cancer journey, A Xing remained devoted to his family: he accompanied his daughter's growth, cared for his mother, and stayed by his father's side until the end. Meanwhile, his legendary journey and optimistic spirit illuminated the paths of countless fellow travelers. He will forever be our group's source of joy, our guide, and our anchor. Thanks to A Xing's immense contributions, the Panda Group has grown healthily and robustly, becoming an influential digestive cancer patient organization in China.

To honor A Xing and remember his optimism, generosity, and spirit of helping others, the Group Committee has decided:

Establish the "Xiang Xiaoxing Outstanding Volunteer Award."

Each June, group members will nominate candidates, and the Group Committee will vote to select 10 outstanding Panda Group volunteers or staff members. Eligibility requires meeting at least one of the following criteria:

• Providing high-quality Q&A support within the group for over 500 hours.
• Making significant contributions to the Panda Group's media outreach, such as producing viral articles or videos.
• Successfully organizing multiple offline Panda Group events.
• Contributing over 300 hours to behind-the-scenes work, including member recruitment, project coordination, and online event organization.

Funded by the Panda & Friends Charity Fund, which will allocate no less than 50,000 RMB annually, winners will receive non-cash incentives. As long as the Panda Group continues to operate, this award will remain in place.

Patient Stories | Click the text to jump directly

Notes from a Middle-Aged Beijing Man Fighting Advanced Colon Cancer | The "Black Magic" of a Panda Star's Cancer Fight | A Ming: Two Years Accompanying My Mother Through Colon Cancer with Liver and Lung Metastases | Qingcao: Sharing My Treatment Journey for Colon Cancer with Liver Metastases | Sisterly Bond: Four Years of Treatment for Colon Cancer with Liver Metastases | Xiao Li: A Patient's Self-Reflection on Fighting Cancer | Sister Xiuxiu: The Treatment Path for Colon Cancer with Liver and Ovarian Metastases | Brother Guo: A Tenacious Treatment Journey for Colon Cancer with Peritoneal Metastases | Naonao: The Self-Rescue Journey After Recurrence at Age 27 | Sister Tudou: A 7-Year Cancer Fight with Lung and Brain Metastases | Cancer-Fighting Beauty Yuanyuan: Living with a Smile | Jin Xia: A 4-Year Treatment Journey for HER2-Positive Gastric Cancer | The Grumpy Grandpa's Gastric Cancer Diary | Mickey: A 31-Year-Old's Treatment Journey for Advanced Gastric Cancer | Summary from a Proactive Colon Cancer Caregiver (Including Nursing Guide) | Alison: Treatment for HER2-Positive Advanced Colon Cancer | From Stage IV Gastric Cancer to Complete Remission | 78 Liver Metastases Do Not Mean a Death Sentence | The Late-Stage Cancer Patient Who Entered the ICU Due to Infection Is Now Tumor-Free | Panda Group Story: Weihua Part 1 | From Diagnosis to Recurrence | Panda Group Story: Yang Yong | As Heaven Moves, the Gentleman Strives Unceasingly | The Cruel Truth Behind Treatment Value: Why Some Patients Are Advised Against Seeking Care in Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou | Cancer Blogger Fengzi Passes Away: Who Will Care for Young Patients Fighting Cancer Alone? | Old Chen: What It's Like to Join a CAR-T Trial, Over Three Years with Colon Cancer and Liver/Lung Metastases | Sister Yangguang: Life Should Not Lose Its Color Due to Illness | Yang Yong | As Heaven Moves, the Gentleman Strives Unceasingly | Weihua Part 1 | From Diagnosis to Recurrence | Diagnosed with Colon Cancer at 16 Weeks Pregnant: Her Struggle and Rebirth | What Kind of Life Do You Want to Live? Running a Marathon with the Best Results After Colon Cancer Surgery | A Real Record of Treating Colon Cancer with Peritoneal Metastases

Doctor-Patient Communication | Click the text to jump directly

Shen Lin, Peking University Cancer Hospital: Progress in Immunotherapy for Colon Cancer 2023 | Step-by-Step Guide for Colon and Gastric Cancer Patients on How to Seek Medical Care

Xing Baocai, Peking University Cancer Hospital: Doctor-Patient Communication on Colon Cancer Liver Metastases

Chen Gong, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center: Can Surgery Be Performed Immediately After Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis? | On Surgery for Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases | Treatment Strategies for Colorectal Liver and Lung Metastases | Maintenance Therapy and Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer | Patient Group Case Analysis Q&A (Part 1) | Patient Group Case Analysis Q&A (Part 2)

Cai Guoxiang, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center: Patient Group Communication Q&A Record

Wang Fenghua, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center: Patient Group Communication Record

Xiao Jian, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University: Chemotherapy, Targeted Therapy, and Immunotherapy for Advanced Gastric Cancer

Yao Hongwei, Beijing Friendship Hospital: Examinations Required for Rectal Cancer Patients and How to Read the Reports