75-Year-Old Chinese Grandfather Becomes Beauty Influencer to Fund Grandson's SMA Gene Therapy
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A 75-year-old grandfather in Jiangsu, China, began livestreaming beauty product demonstrations to raise funds for his grandson's rare disease treatment.
His grandson, Cao Jingyan, was diagnosed at six months with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (search) (SMA) Type 1, the most severe form, and was initially given a life expectancy of 18 months.
The breakthrough SMA drug cost approximately 1.4 million yuan (US$206,000) per year, forcing the family to sell their apartment and borrow money before it was added to China's medical insurance programme.
A 75-year-old man from Jiangsu province in eastern China has captured national attention after becoming an unlikely beauty influencer, livestreaming makeup demonstrations late into the night to fund life-sustaining treatment for his grandson diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder.
Zhu Yunchang cares for his nine-year-old grandson, Cao Jingyan, during the day and turns to livestreaming by night, applying foundation and comparing lipstick shades on camera to raise money for the child's expensive medical care. His wife stays up to keep him company during the broadcasts, which often run until midnight.
A Devastating Diagnosis
When Jingyan was just six months old, doctors diagnosed him with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (search) (SMA) Type 1, the most severe form of the progressive neuromuscular disease. The condition progressively weakens muscles and can cause life-threatening respiratory complications. Physicians initially told the family the child might not survive beyond 18 months.
The prognosis left Zhu's only daughter emotionally shattered. "She is my only daughter. If anything happens to her, my whole family will collapse," Zhu said, explaining his determination to fight for his grandson's survival.
Zhu stepped in decisively, taking over much of Jingyan's daily care. He secretly learned rehabilitation massage techniques by observing therapists at a children's hospital, and years later, he still performs the exercises regularly, even when he is unwell himself.
The Financial Burden of a Breakthrough Treatment
The family's financial strain intensified after a breakthrough SMA drug became available in China. The treatment, administered through injections, dramatically improves survival rates and quality of life but carried a staggering price tag of approximately 1.4 million yuan (US$206,000) per year.
To keep the medication flowing, Zhu sold his apartment and borrowed money from relatives. When traditional fundraising options fell short, the grandfather found an unexpected solution: livestreaming beauty product demonstrations.
Unable to secure endorsement deals because of his age, Zhu began promoting beauty products purchased by his daughter. Viewers tuning into his livestreams would see an elderly man clumsily applying makeup on his face and swatching lipsticks on his forearm to compare colors like other beauty influencers. His daughter later joked that her father had become better at wearing makeup than she was.
A Family Sustained
The effort helped the family stay afloat until the medication was added to China's medical insurance programme, significantly reducing treatment costs. Today, Jingyan is nine years old — far surpassing his initial prognosis — and is able to attend school and spend time with friends on good days.
His daughter describes Zhu as the family's driving force: "My father seems to carry a super engine on his back all the time. He is a superman, super dad and super grandad."