Woman offered to anyone who will pay her doctor bills

May 17, 2007

Mother offered in internet swap

A woman in China has offered to marry off her cancer-stricken mother

to anyone who can pay her medical bills.

Du Chunmei says she cannot afford the $6,000 of treatment and believes

it is the only way to save her mother's life.

She has put an advert online saying: " I post this message in

desperation. If anyone could pay for my mother's treatment, I'll marry

her to you. "

Her appeal, which she says has her mother's approval, has captured the

public's attention in China.

Mrs Du, 31, told the BBC how she and her brothers had spent their

savings when their father fell ill two years ago.

I don't leave the house these days just in case someone calls

Du Chunmei

" I know people are saying bad things about me, but I don't care that

much if I can save her, " she said.

" We owe a lot of money already, I can't find a proper job, and no-one

is helping us. "

She says they borrowed money from neighbours and friends, but their

father eventually died of cancer.

So far Mrs Du, from Liaoning province in north-east China, has failed

to raise the money she needs.

" I don't leave the house these days just in case someone calls. "

Rising costs

The online message has attracted nationwide media attention and

generated much debate on the internet.

Some have condemned her behaviour as a shameful violation of Chinese

traditional value of filial piety.

Others have said they think it is a good idea to attract media

attention and call for help.

In the past 20 years the cost of medical treatment has risen sharply,

but the social security system has fallen behind.

As a result, poorer people in China have found it hard to get proper

hospital treatment.

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