A 26-year-old short video blogger named Zhang Xinyu recently revealed that she has been diagnosed with spinocerebellar ataxia, commonly known as cerebellar atrophy, a condition that also claimed her mother's life. Facing financial hardship, she has taken to street vending to sell handmade crafts while managing her treatment. In a heartfelt decision, she has pledged to donate all of her organs after her passing to assist those in need.

On September 18, Zhang Xinyu shared her story with reporters. Hailing from Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, she was diagnosed with the hereditary disease earlier this year following genetic testing. Her mother passed away from the same illness when she was in middle school, and she had already begun experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, slurred speech, and lack of coordination.

"The doctor informed me that there is a 50 percent chance of inheritance, with onset typically occurring between the ages of 20 and 30, and no known cure. At that moment, I felt my world collapse," she recounted.

Zhang explained her decision to donate her organs stems from her deep empathy for patients' struggles. "Living with illness is incredibly difficult. If my organs can help others, it would bring me genuine happiness," she said.

Her father works at an auto repair shop to support the family. After graduating from vocational school, Zhang worked as a train attendant and later learned cake-making to earn extra income. However, her condition forced her to leave her job. Despite moments of despair, she has resolved to persevere, exercising diligently to slow muscle deterioration and selling her handmade items outdoors whenever possible.

Though she endures daily physical pain, Zhang remains hopeful that a cure will eventually be found, describing herself as "someone waiting for dawn in the darkness."