TFRD's Image Representative Won an Award

Image Representative of TFRD, Yu-Xing Yang, Awarded with "2007 Top 10 
Rising Stars Award"   

Yu-Xing Yang, the representative of TFRD, was awarded with "2007 Top 10 
Rising Star Award" held by Central News Agency (CNA) for her contribution on 
community services. This award not only recognizes Yu-Xing's effort spent 
on rare disease patients, but also shows that the society is paying even much 
more attention to rare disease issues than before. 

The award was awarded to many outstanding people, including innovative 
medical researchers, a talented golf player, an economist and so on. As 
Minister of Justice Mao-lin Shih said at the ceremony, "They are role 
models of Taiwan as they all have made remarkable contributions to our society." 

The onset of Yu-Xing's disease, Miyoshi Myopathy, occurred when she 
was 19. Like many other patients, she and her family had spent plenty of time s
eeking all kinds of treatment, but found out that her disease was incurable 
afterward. However, instead of becoming pessimistic, as she realized that her 
disease deteriorates slowly, she decided to seize every moment she has to 
realize her dream and to service and encourage more people who need help. 
By sharing her own story to the public and patients who have same problems 
as she does, she has made more patients' voice heard, draw public attention to 
rare diseases and encouraged others who have once lost their hope for life. 

"I'm very honored to receive this award," said Yu-Xing at the ceremony  
"I know this award represents recognition and is indeed a great encouragement 
for me. I want to share this award with those who also devoted themselves to 
social service. I hope that you can show your support to those who need help, 
and lead them out of the darkness of their lives. With your help, they are not alone." 

Despite of her busy work (secretary-general of Taiwan Organization for 
Disadvantaged Patients, image representative of TFRD, anchorwoman of Beautiful 
Live Television, broadcast hostess of Xing World), Yu-Xing always wears a 
bright smile. Her optimistic attitude and vitality show her love for life. She also shows 
us the true value of life through her work and devotion to rare disease issues.