A heroic schoolboy piled on over two stone so he could donate spinal bone marrow to save his dad's life.
Nine-year-old Lu Zikuan carried out the calorific mission by scoffing five meals a day to help to Lu Yanheng - who is suffering from a form of blood cancer.
Lu's illness, which he had kept a secret from his children for years, had left him bedridden but he finally told them about it when it emerged he needed a spinal bone marrow transplant.
The selfless youngster, who was around 5st, came up as a match but was told he needed to put on another 2st before he would be allowed to undergo the gruelling operation to save his dad's life.
According to local media, his new diet often left him feeling full and uncomfortable but he persevered until he weighed over seven stones.
Video footage shows Lu stuff himself with meals followed with snacks to help him reach his goal.
The transplant took place on the September 9 - just in time for his dad's birthday - at Peking University’s People’s Hospital.
The operation was a success and his grateful father expressed his thanks on social media.
He said: “This is a day I will never forget — my son gave me the hope to live on my birthday. I thank my son for everything he has done for me.
"He said he had pain in his leg and back ... this is too much for a child.”
Meanwhile, donations of more than 800,000 RMB £(90,188) were raised to pay for the miracle operation after the news hit the headlines in China.
Zikuan is out of hospital and on a diet – and said he now hopes to get back to about 5st (30kg).
