Fang Xianfa, a 53-year-old resident of Qingdao, Shandong province, is in the late stages of laryngeal cancer and has racked up a debt of 90,000 yuan (about $12,000) at the hospital where he is being treated.

Fang was walking outside the hospital on Tuesday, when he found an envelope containing 4,000 yuan near an elevator.

At first, he was excited, grateful for this windfall that could prolong his treatment.

But he finally decided to return the money to its owner, who might also be seriously ill.

He called the Qingdao News to help him find the money`s owner, but has so far had little luck.