Liu Lei

"Love can cover a distance of thousands of miles. Let's go together without hesitation. I'm with you..." On March 26, 69-year-old Wei Ruiyun stood before the Body Donation Memorial Monument in Wuhan, the capital of central China's Hubei province. A song was playing from her mobile phone. It was one of the 23 songs left for her by her daughter, Liu Lei, as a last gift to her mother. Listening to Liu’s beautiful voice, Wei burst into tears.

Liu Lei has always been the pride and joy of her mother and brothers. In September 2012, she was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of breast cancer. Doctors told her that if her brain metastasized, Liu would certainly die.

Knowing about the disease, Liu, who always loved singing, made the decision to record a few songs so that her mother could hold on to Liu’s voice even after she died. Wei said that although the treatment was very painful, Liu always laughed and brought positive energy to other patients. Everybody liked her.

Liu’s last song was recorded on Oct. 24, 2015. By that time the cancer had spread, and treatment had affected Liu Lei's voice. She could barely sing anymore. Liu told her mother that she wished she could sing more songs for her, but she didn’t have the time.

Liu Lei told her family that she wanted to donate her corneas. Her wish was realized after her death on March 10.

Wei told journalists that her daughter's corneas have allowed two people to see again. Her daughter's name was among the 1,381 names carved in the Body Donation Memorial Monument. 

Photo shows Liu Lei in the hospital.

Every time Wei listens to her daughter’s voice, she can't help but cry.

 Every time Wei listens to her daughter’s voice, she can't help but cry.

Photo shows Wei in her home tidying her daughter’s things.

Photo shows Wei in her home tidying her daughter’s things.