“It's like some kind of curse. Five of my family members passed away one after another...” Zhang Keping, from Jiangxi province, was telling his family's misfortune caused by Marfan syndrome, with his tears flashing on the dark face.“I thought I was the sixth person to face death, but then my fate seemed to change. I just slept on the operating table, and when I woke up, the curse that had been haunting me for years was gone...” This is the story of Zhang Keping, a patient with Marfan syndrome, and also the story he shared with other patients at the 7th National Marfan Syndrome Meeting.

On October 23, the 7th National Marfan Syndrome Meeting was held in DeltaHealth Hospital · Shanghai as arranged. In every autumn, Shanghai enjoys clear sky, invigorating climate and the fragrance of Osmanthus fragrans. At this time, a group of people with long and slender limbs gathered in DeltaHealth Hospital. Even though the pandemic did not completely dissipate, they, coming from more than 150 counties and cities, travelled a long way for the reunion. As David Hoidal, CEO of DeltaHealth Hospital, says, “There are many events held every year here, but this is the most anticipated one, because it's not just a meeting, but an annual reunion.”

Seven years is a meaningful length.A seven-year marriage is called a “hand marriage”, implying that the couple has decided to spend the rest of their lives with each other. For children, seven years' education enables them to read and write, and their values and outlook on life are shaped. For DeltaHealth Hospital, these seven years have witnessed its persistent efforts to promote the change of Marfan syndrome treatment in China and help more people receive timely medical assistance. The hospital has always been serving as the light guiding the way, the medicine to relieve anxiety and the warm harbor of protection for Marfan patients throughout the country.

30 years ago, patients with Marfan syndrome generally met their end at around 32. At that time, even most of doctors did not know what kind of disease it was, because it was not taught in books nor encountered clinically.“Life has the supreme value, but Marfan patients understand life in a very different way from healthy men. No man, no matter how rich, can have the world, but a Marfan patient is likely to lose the world at any time.” Chang Jiguo, director of Beijing Kangxin Marfan Syndrome Care Center, also a Marfan patient himself, is the “spiritual leader” of many patients. Struggling with the disease for 40 years, he has constantly extended the meaning of life, and is now helping more patients rekindle the light of hope.

Having Marfan was unfortunate in the past, but now it is lucky enough to meet DeltaHealth Hospital. Professor Huang Lianjun, vice president of the hospital, called President Sun Lizhong a “god-like man”. As one of the cardiovascular surgeons whotaketheleadin surgical volumes and disease coverage in China, Dr. Sun's operation has saved the lives of countless Marfan patients, and doctors from all over the country and even the world are attracted to learn about it. Currently, DeltaHealth Hospital not only provides medical technology for all patients to fight against the disease, but also hold the annual meeting for psychological assistance which enables all patients accompany each other and overcome the difficulties.