Wang Hongli, a female graduate student from South China Normal University, has been diagnosed with leukemia.[Photo: information times]

China's star hurdler Liu Xiang has stood up and is calling for donations to help a female graduate student from South China Normal University who has been diagnosed with leukemia.

A sophomore, Wang Hongli is a student of Liu Xiang's former teammate, female hurdler Feng Yun, who now teaches at the university.

"Wang Hongli is an excellent student but from a poor family. She used to be the only hope in her family, but now the disease has come like a disaster to them." Feng Yun expressed her deep concern.

The former hurdler said that a bone marrow match has been found in Beijing for Wang Hongli, but the operation and further treatment will cost at least 300 thousand yuan. Though students at the university have donated some money, it is far from enough.

Thus, Feng Yun asked for help from her former teammate Liu Xiang, hoping the star hurdler would draw more donations from society by virtue of his celebrity status.

Soon after being told Wang Hongli's story, Liu Xiang released his appeal to the media. The university has also opened a special account for donations. The receiver is "South China Normal University" and the account number is 3602008109000386071 at the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in Guangzhou.

Li Wei, a graduate mentor at South China Normal University, told Xinhua News Agency that Liu Xiang's involvement has already had quite an effect, with the fund already receiving more donations.

Some people have even paid a visit to the hospital where Wang Hongli is receiving treatment to put their donations directly into her own hands.