A local university student donated stem cells yesterday to save the life of a patient in Hong Kong with a rare blood disease.

It was Shanghai’s 410th stem cell donation and the third sent to help a patient in Hong Kong, said the Red Cross Society of China’s Shanghai branch, which operates the city’s stem cell bank.

Liu Hui, 22, said he registered as a donor at the age of 18 during a high school ceremony.

Red Cross officials called him in May to tell him he was a match for the Hong Kong patient and requested further checks. He agreed immediately.

“I was happy that I was able to fulfil my commitment,” he said, adding that he managed to reassure his worried parents that there were no health concerns with regard to the procedure.

So far, around 160,000 people have registered with the local stem cells bank. With another two donations being made this week, a total of 412 people will have donated cells, with 17 of the cases involving overseas patients.