But in his final months, before he died of cancer two months ago, weekly visits from Fudan University students brought him much joy - the sort of joy that his children and other family members failed to provide.

"I'll never forget Zhao's eyes," said Chen Yanyan, 20, a sophomore majoring in medical science who visited Zhao. "His eyes blinked with pleasure when we came to the ward every Monday. But they looked sad with disappointment when we were about to leave."

Chen is one of approximately 50 Fudan students participating in a volunteer program established by medical science majors four years ago to care for elderly patients.

She and other volunteers read newspapers for their patients, told them about campus events and listened to their stories. Sometimes, they even sang and danced for them.

Although it took her at least two hours to travel from Fudan to the hospital, Chen continued to visit Zhao because she can make him happy.

"When we talked about the new environmental cleanup of Suzhou Creek, Zhao was extremely excited. He told us how fetid it used to smell when he lived along the creek many years ago," Chen said.

But Zhao rarely talked about his family and children, Chen recalled.

"He complained only once that his children were too busy to spend time with him," Chen said.

A hospital nurse said it appeared that many adult children can't cope with the terminal illnesses of their parents, so they seldom come to see them.

At best, they linger only a short time, the nurse said.

Another volunteer, Miao Yi, 20, said: "I learned what my grandparents wanted most was to simply have me chat with them. Whatever the topic, they are not lonely anymore."

Hospital Vice President He Jingxian, 46, said: "Old patients want to have young people communicating with them. Unfortunately, that's what their blood children are reluctant to provide in many cases."

(eastday.com 01/05/2001)