Du Liyuan, 19 years old, has been suffering from leukemia for a year. She has kept track of her experiences in a 'death diary', recording her feelings as she faces up to the inevitable.

Like other patients in the hematology department, Christmas Eve meant little to her. Many times Du Liyuan wanted to give up treatment and travel around the south of China. But she felt guilty of this selfish behavior when she remembered her parents' love and contribution. As a rural family, spending 400,000 yuan on treatment is a difficult thing for them.

She was diagnosed with leukemia at the beginning of the year. After more than 30 chemotherapy sessions, she has lost her hair and her face has swollen up. Du Liyuan says that if she recovers, she would like to be a doctor in hematology and invent a cure for leukemia. For now she will face the disease with courage and persistence, and write her daily diary to add a little color to her life.