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Cancer patient suspends treatment for cycling tour

Giving the “I love you” sign to show his love for Taiwan, cancer patient Pan Ping-hua sets off on a bicycle trip around Taiwan yesterday. PHOTO: CNA

A Vietnamese Chinese who has lived half a century in Taiwan has decided to suspend his cancer treatment and embark on a cycling tour of the island. Pan Ping-hua (潘炳華), who has oral and nasopharyngeal cancer, said that he wanted to embark on the ride because he hopes to “acquire fond memories in his last days.”

Amid cheers and blessings by well-wishers at the Chiali church in Tainan County on Monday, Pan and his friends headed northwards on bicycles. They will tour eastern and southern Taiwan before returning to Chiali in 16 days time.

In high spirits, Pan waved farewell to his well-wishers, saying that they “will meet again on Oct. 7.”

Pan, a devout Christian, is scheduled to arrive in Taichung City today, where the church will gather 100 people to celebrate his “ruby,” or 40th, wedding anniversary that day.

The church has organized for its members to accompany Pan and provide accommodation for him on his cycling trip.

Pan came to Taiwan in 1958 when he was 17 years old. The following year, the Vietnam War broke out and he was unable to return home.

He completed his studies in Taiwan and later settled in Chiangchun Village (將軍), Tainan County, where he taught junior high school, got married and raised a family.

About 30 years ago, he and his wife opened a beef noodle shop in a night market. The shop became very popular after the media reported his story of teaching and running the shop.

Although Pan was not hugely wealthy, he decided, as he became more affluent, to set up a charity group in neighboring Chiali Township (佳里) to help families in need.

When Pan was about to retire five years ago, he was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer, which caused him great pain physically and psychologically, especially after chemotherapy.
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