The story of a safari park in eastern China donating over 62,000 yuan to help a toddler battling cancer has gone viral on social media, drawing widespread praise for its compassion and humanity.
In early July, Huang, a mother from Nantong, Jiangsu Province, contacted the Nantong Forest Safari Park requesting a refund for her two-year-old daughter’s annual pass. The child had visited the park five times after the pass was purchased in April, always enjoying the experience, Huang said.
However, in mid-June, her daughter was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of childhood cancer. Facing steep medical costs, Huang reached out to the park in hopes of recovering some funds to support her daughter's treatment.
Photos from Ziniu News
"My daughter always smiled when we came to the park. Now, every cent counts for her treatment," Huang told reporters.
Refund Approved, Pass Preserved
Upon learning of the family’s hardship, the park promptly processed the refund but decided not to cancel the child’s annual pass. Staff encouraged the family to return once the girl recovers, emphasizing that the door remains open for her joyful visits.
Wishing Coins Turned into Lifesaving Aid
Beyond the refund, the park took further action. It donated 12,083 yuan collected from coins tossed into its wishing pond by visitors—coins traditionally meant to symbolize good fortune—and added a supplementary donation of 50,000 yuan to support the child’s medical expenses.
The gesture has been widely celebrated online, with netizens calling it "the most meaningful use of wishing coins" and applauding the park for turning symbolic wishes into real-life hope.