Here is the letter from Yao Ming to Chinese people posted on the official rocket website. http://www.nba.com/rockets/ An Open Letter From Yao Ming The following is an actual open letter from Yao Ming to the people of China regarding the fight against the deadly SARS disease. Translated by David Wen A Letter To Public May 9, 2003 Yao Ming China Citizen Dear Sir or Madam: April 26th, I finished all my first year's NBA games, arrived at Shanghai Pudong Airport, and had an unexpected medical exam. The medical staff wearing the mouth pad once again reminded me that my hometown Shanghai, my motherland China, is now enduring an unexpected no-smoke war. In this war, nobody could be outside of it, no matter if you are a star or just a normal person. To date there have been 4,805 infected by SARS in mainland China and among them, 230 have left this world. This WAR is a tough and long battle, because before the bacterin and effective medicine being developed, the most effective way is to use all means to avoid the virus from spreading. And it is the medical personnel who are now working on the front line. To save others' lives, they said goodbye to their family, and under the risk of their own lives they went into the Separation Zone. Now, among them, more than 900 have been infected, five already died, and the youngest, Dr. Xiaohong Li, is only 28 years old. The WAR is risky and a battle of technology because whether SARS can be finally conquered is dependent upon the breakthrough of technology. For that, the scientists all over China and the world are now working day and night. They are fighting against this unknown virus to save time and lives. Because of this battle, we closed the cinemas and theaters, and postponed the sports games, but this will not wobble our resolve to win the final battle. We firmly believe that in the battle with SARS, the final victory will definitely belong to us. I think we should do our best to thank all those in white protectors who are battling the illness or even having lost their lives, to support all those scientists who are working all the time, while at the same time encouraging the public to avoid panic, and to believe. All these are to once again awaken the power in our society to win over SARS, the common enemy of all peoples. So, on May 11, Sunday, Shanghai TV Sports Channel and I will, along with many local and international medias, make a live program to all Chinese. During the program, we will have telephone and cell phone short messages as well as an online auction. All the money will go through China Red Cross, in the names of all the medical staff who died on the job, to benefit the protection of the medical staff and scientific research on SARS. At the same time, through the medias we will tell all to believe in our final victory over SARS. Getting involved and supporting the victory over SARS should become a duty that every citizen should have to this society. As a Chinese member of earth village, your power is not unnoticed. Small sparks could make a big fire and your support is very important to us. We wish you could give out your money, and show your care and support to all the medical staff and scientists working on the front lines of the war over SARS. At the same time, your example will help everyone to have the courage and belief to face current difficulties. You will earn the gratitude and respect of the whole society. Looking forward to your participation and support. Yao Ming, China Citizen
