When Cai Lei, a former e-commerce executive in China, received an ALS diagnosis in 2019, he transformed personal adversity into a mission for global impact. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no known cure, affects thousands in China alone. Cai's response? A relentless drive to accelerate research and unite international expertise.
Since his diagnosis, Cai has co-founded a big data research platform dedicated to ALS, streamlining collaboration between scientists and medical institutions. His team has facilitated body donations for critical research and partnered with more than 100 global experts to fast-track drug development. 'This isn’t just about extending lives—it’s about restoring hope,' Cai remarked in a recent interview.
While challenges remain, Cai’s work highlights China’s growing role in addressing complex healthcare challenges through innovation and cross-border cooperation. His story resonates beyond medical circles, offering lessons in resilience to business leaders and inspiration to diaspora communities worldwide.
