Huang Nichao, 24, has suffered from SLE for 10 years. Wang Guibin / For China Daily

An SLE patient who is struggling to pay for medical care has found support and money by posting updates about her condition to the world. Li Yao reports.

Huang Nichao recently checked out of Beijing Union Medical College Hospital because a TV station wanted to talk about her struggle to survive systemic lupus erythematosus (also known as SLE or lupus). She threw up on the way to the studio but nevertheless managed to complete the interview.

The 24-year-old was diagnosed 10 years ago with SLE, an autoimmune disease that affects all parts of the body, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage. It also damages the heart, lungs, blood vessels, nervous system, liver and kidneys. It is more prevalent among women than men.

Huang requires a kidney transplant costing 300,000 yuan ($47,000) but can't afford it and also needs kidney dialysis. Without treatment she could die, she says.

Huang started a blog about her condition at the end of 2008. Her updates about her desperate fight against the disease have led to an outpouring of sympathy and resulted in donations of 230,000 yuan.

She makes TV appearances and does frequent newspaper interviews in order to gain more publicity for her case.

"I'm sure this hectic schedule is bringing me closer to death," Huang says, but adds that she has no other options. "My target is to make just enough money to pay for the transplant."

Huang is from Meizhou, Guangdong province, and was diagnosed at 14 as having SLE.

Her father makes a living by mending small appliances and owes 200,000 yuan in hospital fees to cover Huang's treatment over the years.

Huang's mother became paralyzed in 2007 due to hypertension, diabetes and a stroke.

That year, Huang became an economics major, with a minor in medicine, at Southern Medical University in Guangzhou. It was at this time she stopped taking money from her parents to pay for her ongoing medical costs and took on several part-time jobs, tutoring, washing dishes and working as a sales assistant.

In her sophomore year, she landed a job as an assistant accountant at two companies and earned 2,000 yuan a month. She was later awarded accountancy and human resources certificates.

She also interned at companies, including P&G in Guangzhou, Johnson & Johnson, and a French firm based in Shanghai specializing in medical equipment.

Upon graduating this year, she received initial offers from Standard Chartered and Johnson & Johnson, but was finally rejected because of her illness.

"I want to work in a foreign company, where skills and competence determine how far I can go. Becoming a public servant or working at a State-owned company are not an option for me, because I don't have the connections to land such lucrative jobs."

At the end of July, she arrived in Beijing for medical treatment and to further her education. She lives in a tiny room in a rundown neighborhood near Tsinghua University and pays 1,000 yuan a month in rent. A bed, a desk and two chairs are the only furniture.

She also became an active SLE awareness campaigner and in August gave a talk to a group of fellow patients.

"Mine is a living example that we should seek timely treatment upon early diagnosis. We should be prepared to overcome frequent mood swings and face up to our problems," she says.

At the end of August, she was rushed to the hospital as her blood pressure jumped to 220/120. A doctor warned her she would have to remain in hospital for at least two weeks.

"I have battled SLE for 10 years. I think I have earned the right to rest now," she said in blog entry at the time.

"Living in agony is no better than dying in peace. Don't blame me for not being strong enough. Everything comes too late. A screw turned too tight will break in the end."

As a result of her blogging, Guo Zheng, 24, was moved to help Huang and assists her with fundraising and management of the donation fund.

"I was inspired by this frail girl, who had achieved so much despite all her difficulties," he says. "In contrast, my college years looked dull and uneventful."

Guo Zheng (left) got to know Huang through her blog and helps her with fundraising and management of the donation fund. Provided to China Daily

Huang's blog has become a source of inspiration for many other people going through trying moments in their own lives.

White-collar workers experiencing difficulties at work, students facing exams and other ill people have been motivated by her story.

"I'm not afraid of death. I just hope my last days are spent without medicine or treatment," Huang says, in a recent blog post.

The only thing Huang can't come to terms with is leaving her parents and not providing for them.

"They have toiled all their lives. I wish I could take good care of them."