Members of the Yankang Center perform at a song contest. Photo provided to CHINA DAILY
Ignorance and fear
Founded in 1989, the club was one of China's first grassroots cancer organizations. In its 28-year history, it has helped 200,000 people come to terms with their illness and fight it.
Yuan, 68, was diagnosed with lymphoma in 1980, the year he married. At the time, cancer was poorly understood, and something people only spoke about in whispers. Some of Yuan's friends tried to console him, but others were so ignorant of the disease that they were reluctant to shake hands with him for fear of becoming infected.
Yuan's doctors said he had a 20 percent chance of living another two years. That wakeup call gave him the impetus to change the way he and others regarded the disease.
"It prompted me to set up an organization for people like me, to provide encouragement, confidence and dignity," he said.
Initially, the club had 90 members. They visited other patients, organized a lobbying campaign and wrote articles about the disease for newspapers.
Now, there are 16,000 members in a number of branches across Shanghai, including 14 sub-centers for different treatments.
The most popular activities include table-tennis competitions and song contests. During this year's Spring Festival, the club's celebration gala was streamed online and attracted an audience of about 1 million.
It also provides rehabilitation classes and courses about nutrition, aimed at patients with different cancers. Additionally, treatment methods such as music and drama therapy have been introduced from overseas with the aim of providing a release valve for the pressures patients feel.
"Getting cancer doesn't mean you have to give up your life, your studies or your job. The management of emotion is very important," said Yuan, whose lymphoma has completely disappeared.
