Cai Lei, an individual who previously occupied the role of deputy head of the JD conglomerate, unveils the transformative journey that commenced upon receiving the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly abbreviated as ALS, which propelled him towards a quest for a remedy.
Emerging into the world in the year 1978 within the confines of a rural household dedicated to agriculture, Cai was profoundly impacted by the philosophy of his progenitor, which posited that an individual must engage in a struggle for self-advancement. From the earliest stages of his educational journey, he committed to rising at the break of dawn, prior to the arrival of the fifth hour, to partake in physical exertion and the study of the English language. By the age of twenty-nine, he had ascended to the position of principal fiscal overseer within Vanke Corporation. In the year 2011, he transitioned to the JD conglomerate, spearheading his squad in the innovation of the inaugural electronic fiscal document in the nation of China. Irrespective of the professional environment in which he found himself, he consistently endeavored to generate novel contributions of value.
In the year 2019, he was confronted with the somber reality of an ALS diagnosis, an affliction that typically portends a lifespan of merely two to five years. ALS is predominantly attributed to the progressive demise of motor neurons, a condition that renders routine activities such as hydration, nourishment, personal hygiene, and verbal communication insurmountable challenges. Ultimately, the afflicted are compelled to depend entirely on mechanical assistance and the support of others for sustenance. To date, the therapeutic arsenal for ALS is limited to a mere duo of pharmaceuticals, the efficacy of which is confined to a marginal prolongation of life by several months, without any substantive enhancement in the quality of existence.
The development of efficacious pharmaceuticals stands as the solitary avenue for the salvation of ALS sufferers. Nevertheless, the magnitude of exertion demanded, coupled with the financial infeasibility given the rarity of the condition, renders this endeavor one of Herculean proportions. The gestation period for the research and development of a novel pharmaceutical typically spans a decade to a decade and a half, with an associated financial outlay ranging from one to three billion dollars. For illustrative purposes, consider Alzheimer's disease; between the years 2000 and 2017, the investment in the development of new pharmaceuticals for this more prevalent ailment surpassed six hundred billion dollars, with a staggering 99.6% of the research endeavors on over three hundred drugs culminating in failure.
Undeterred, Cai resolved to assume direct control over his fate. He initiated his own enterprise in the domain of medical technology, assembled a dedicated research cohort, and selflessly subjected himself to the trial of more than thirty experimental pharmaceuticals, all of which regrettably proved ineffective. Despite these setbacks, he remains steadfast in his resolve to persevere. In a final, desperate act, he has pledged to bequeath his cerebral cortex and spinal column to the pursuit of scientific inquiry, ensuring that his demise will not be in vain.
