In Jinan, China, a heartwarming gesture from the city's traffic police brigade brought joy to an 8-year-old boy fighting cancer, allowing him to live out his dream of becoming a traffic policeman.
Daoming, diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma — a rare and aggressive form of soft tissue cancer affecting his brain and nose — has been bravely battling the illness for the past four years. Throughout his journey, he harboured a deep passion for traffic police officers and longed to experience what it's like to work alongside them.
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His mother, Ms. Tan, reached out to the Jinan traffic police brigade through social media, sharing her son's dream. "My child has a malignant tumour and is receiving treatment in Jinan," she posted. "He has always admired traffic police and has dreamed of becoming one. Could you let him sit in your car or even let him help direct traffic?"
The traffic police, moved by her request, invited Daoming to spend time with the Shizhong Brigade's female officers. The officers made his experience unforgettable — not only did he ride a real police motorcycle, but he also got to sit behind the wheel of a shiny new police car.
"I’m so happy. It’s my first time sitting in a police car," Daoming said, his excitement evident in his words.
As a special treat, Daoming was given the opportunity to try on a traffic policeman’s uniform, asking playfully, "Do I look handsome?" One officer replied, "You look too dashing in that uniform."
Dressed in his new gear — a bright yellow vest and service cap — Daoming had the chance to learn traffic management, practicing hand signals and commands to control traffic. He also toured the traffic monitoring centre, where he observed real-time footage of traffic conditions across the city.
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Since his diagnosis at the age of four, Daoming has undergone extensive treatment, including 18 chemotherapy sessions, 33 radiotherapy treatments, and two surgeries. Yet, his resilience remains unshaken.
When asked if he feared his illness, Daoming’s answer was filled with courage: "No. As long as I get better, I’ll be healthy. Then I can become a traffic policeman and help direct traffic, ride motorcycles, and catch bad guys."
A video capturing Daoming’s special day was shared by the Jinan traffic police on Douyin, where it quickly went viral, garnering an outpouring of support from netizens. Many online users left messages of encouragement, wishing Daoming a swift recovery.
Grateful for the kindness, Daoming’s mother thanked the police in a comment: "Thank you to the Jinan traffic police for helping my child achieve his dream. Jinan is truly a warm city."
Daoming’s story has not only touched hearts across China but also serves as a reminder of the power of community support in fulfilling dreams and bringing moments of happiness during challenging times.
