Zi Long’s journey is one of incredible strength and determination, a story worth celebrating. After 49 long days in the hospital, he rang the end-of-treatment bell, marking the completion of his gene therapy for beta thalassemia, a rare inherited blood disorder that had defined so much of his young life.

The road to this moment was far from easy. Zi Long faced endless tests, long hospital days, and the physical challenges of his treatment, but through it all, his courage never wavered. On bell-ringing day, hospital staff gathered to cheer him on, presenting him with a purple heart to honor his bravery. Around his neck, Zi Long wore his Beads of Courage—each bead a symbol of the battles he had fought and overcome with remarkable resilience.

Now back at home in Portland, Zi Long is embracing the simple joys he fought so hard for. He’s reunited with friends, cheered on the Portland Timbers, and basked in the freedom of summer—his smile radiating relief and a new-found hope for the bright future ahead.

Zi Long’s story is a testament to the power of medical innovation, compassionate care, and the extraordinary resilience of children. His bell didn’t just signal the end of treatment—it rang in a new beginning, one filled with promise, play, and endless possibilities.