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Men Switched At Birth Reunite With Biological Parents After 28 Years

Men Switched At Birth Reunite With Biological Parents After 28 Years

Tragically, one of the men has been told he has just months to live after being diagnosed with terminal cancer

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

A 28-year-old man with terminal cancer who was mistakenly switched at birth has met his biological parents for the first time.

Yao Ce, who has just months left to live, was accidentally switched with Guo Wie by medics at the Huaihe Hospital of Henan University, in the city of Kaifeng, China, almost three decades ago.

Asia Wire

The mistake went unnoticed until Yao was diagnosed with late stage liver cancer and was given the devastating news that he was not expected to live for longer than three months.

The woman he believed to be his biological mother had tried to donate part of her liver to help save his life, but was told she wasn't a match.

After discovering she was an incompatible donor, Yao underwent a paternity test with the man he thought was his biological father and the mix-up was revealed.

Asia Wire

The two families have since met up after discovering the truth and Yao and Guo were able to celebrate their birthdays together with their biological parents for the first time in 28 years.

Both Yao's mum's were tearful at the reunion, the Global Times reports, with the mother he grew up with saying: "We have devoted a lot into Yao's education, and he has become a successful young man."

His biological mother added: "We only hope that he can get better."

Yao said: "When I think about my parents' attitude to me throughout the last month, I can't think of one thing that has changed."

After the mistake was realised, Yao and his parents launched a case suing the hospital for emotional distress and were awarded 1,000,000 yen (£112,756).

Asia Wire

The compensation included 400,000 yen (£45,086) compensation for causing psychological damage to Yao Ce and his biological parents and 600,000 yen (£67,630) to cover medical expenses.

According to China Daily, the court said: "The work error brought decades-long separation to Yao and his biological parents, so the hospital should pay them mental compensation."

Yao claims he was also diagnosed with hepatitis B when he was only two after the hospital 'failed to vaccinate him on time'.

Yao believes contracting hepatitis B could have been one of the causes of his current condition.

Asia Wire

However, the hospital does not take responsibility for the missed vaccination.

Yao is currently undergoing radiation therapy at Shanghai Oriental Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital.

Featured Image Credit: Asia Wire

Topics: World News, China