Chinese dad’s chemotherapy note prompts food vendor’s US$15 donation, goes viral

A street food vendor in central China received widespread acclaim after discreetly slipping 100 yuan (US$15) into a takeaway order for a family whose child was undergoing chemotherapy.On August 17, Wang Xianhuang, an egg pancake vendor in Hefei, Anhui province, noticed a heartfelt note attached to a food delivery order that read, “For a child undergoing chemotherapy. Please do not include shredded kelp or lettuce. Make half of it non-spicy.”The message resonated with Wang, prompting him to reflect on the challenges the child and family were facing.After preparing the pancake, Wang added two complimentary cups of soy milk and tucked 100 yuan in cash inside the package.A father’s note about his child’s chemotherapy restrictions deeply moved a food vendor named Wang, above, who immediately stepped in to help. Photo: CCTVThe child’s father, surnamed Zhu, was profoundly moved and subsequently shared the story online. His four-year-old son, Haolin, had been diagnosed with leukaemia in February and was currently undergoing treatment.Zhu wrote in his post: “A stranger showed compassion for a sick child. There is always warmth in this world that can brighten even the darkest days.”For Wang, the donation was significant. The 100 yuan represented about four days’ worth of profit from his modest business.The 33-year-old vendor carries over 200,000 yuan (US$30,000) in entrepreneurial debt and has faced numerous setbacks over the years. At his lowest point, he slept in internet cafes and relied on sink taps for drinking water.After the story went viral, customers from all over China began to flock to his stall, transforming the once-quiet stand into a local hotspot with long queues forming.After the story went viral, customers flocked from all over China, transforming the quiet food stall into a bustling local hotspot. Photo: HandoutBoth delivery orders and in-person sales reportedly doubled, while some customers who could not visit in person ordered food online to be donated to sanitation workers and delivery riders.On August 22, Wang visited Haolin in hospital, where the child endearingly referred to him as “Uncle Egg Pancake.”Wang donated all of his recent stall earnings, along with a media award, totalling 8,100 yuan (US$1,200), to the family.Recalling the first time he saw photos of Haolin in hospital, with medical tubes attached, Wang expressed profound sadness.“I hope every child in the world can grow up healthy and free from illness,” he remarked.Further ReadingHaolin’s condition is now stable, according to his father, although he will require continued treatment for another 18 months.Sales doubled overnight as customers bought food in-person and online to donate to local sanitation workers and delivery riders. Photo: CCTVShu Zhizhong, founder of the egg pancake brand under which Wang operates, also donated 2,000 yuan to the boy’s family.Shu stated that the brand would grant Wang a cash reward and initiate a free meal programme for outdoor workers.“This is the kind of story that brings me joy online,” one commenter shared. “A small act of kindness can be magnified through the internet, spreading warmth far beyond the initial gesture.”