Photos: Battling cancer together

No fixed place to hold activities, no stable financial support, and no certainty to live another day. But members of the cancer group Light of Hope join hands to fight the death threat in Fuzhou, East China’s Fujian province.

Established 22 years ago, the group now has about 1,000 members, including middle-state and terminal cancer patients, with the toughest one living with cancer for 38 years. The group usually meets in parks to do breathing exercises, chat or cheer each other up.

"To be sad makes one day, and to be happy also makes one day. Why should people be distressed?" said Xue Congmeng, who has been living with liver cancer for 18 years. He had surgery in June 1995 and always encourages other patients to stay optimistic. "To talk with others can be better than chemotherapy."

Esophageal cancer patient Zhou Liqin stands in front of Fujian Province Cancer Hospital in Fuzhou, Fujian province, March 30, 2012. Zhou was reduced to dire poverty after paying for his treatments. [Photo/CFP]