An encouraging story of a sick teacher from China who continues to work despite his painful treatment, has touched the hearts of millions around the world.

According to the People’s Daily Online, Yu Gongmao from Wuhan city was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease at the age of 30 and over the years his health deteriorated and he developed uraemia.

Despite having to undergo intense treatment three times a week, he continues to teach sitting on his
knees as he is too weak to stand. The 41-year-old is pictured above giving classes at Wuhan University on March 11.

In 2012, professor Yu passed out in class and was immediately rushed to hospital where doctors found a tumour in his brain. He was operated on which was successful, but his health continued to worsen.

Unfortunately he was left with bad eyesight in his left eye, a result of the operation.

After relapsing in 2014 he was told his kidneys were failing, he is now awaiting a kidney transplant.

He receives dialysis three times a week, both of his kidneys have problems leading to uraemia.

Speaking to the People’s Daily, professor Yu said he will ‘keep teaching until I collapse in class’.

Since he became ill, professor Yu – who works at the Department of English at the university – has suffered from severe weight loss, dropping to around 120 pounds.

In a week, professor Yu teaches more than ten classes on his knees as he is too weak to stand. He even works as a translator and a tour guide when he is not teaching.

He said he loves to interact with his students, but the disease makes it difficult to give them the physical support they need.

Professor Yu started teaching at the university in 1998, and has taught thousands of students throughout China over the years.

He is highly loved by his students who visited him while he was hospitalised.

One student said:

 ‘Teacher, we don’t want to see you leave. Once you recover, we will come to sit in your class again.’'

Over the Lunar New Year holiday he received get well blessings from ex-students now living in the United States, Chongqing, Shanghai and the UK.

The university has reportedly paid for all of his treatment and his students have even donated money to help him to recover.