A patient suffering from a lung disease in Changchun, Jilin province, is selling his cross-stitched replica of a famous painting to pay for his treatment, according to cfp.cn on Thursday. It allegedly took two years to complete the masterpiece that is now for sale.

47-year-old retired miner Zhang Qingwei is suffering from an occupational-related disease, called pneumoconiosis. He created his own rendition of the "Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival" in cross stitch. According to Zhang, he learned the craft from a nurse, who taught him while in treatment.

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Since 2012, Zhang has been undergoing a series of treatment regimen. He has kept distracted from his illness with cross stitching, a skill and hobby that have become a part of his life. He even claims to be the only man in the building to do cross stitch.

Zhang revealed he now spends between 8 and 9 hours of his day stitching. Currently, he has 11 works, and the largest of these is the six-meter-long "River Scene at Qingming Festival" replica. He said he is considering selling his work to raise the money for a lung transplant, which could cost him up to 600,000 yuan ($91,080).

"I don't know how long I can live," Zhang stated. "I'm only 47 and I have a 26-year-old daughter. I don't want to leave this world this early."

Earlier this week, Chinese health officials warned establishments engaging in activities prone to give rise to pneumoconiosis to continuously check employees' health and ensure treatment when diagnosed. Pneumoconiosis is a common term for a group of lung illnesses that results from breathing in dust particles, especially mineral dusts, which can dwell deep into the lungs and cause damage.

Otherwise known as the "Black Lung Disease," it is distinctively recognized by cough and shortness of breath. As of now, there is no cure for the disease and palliative care and support are highly recommended. 

TagsPneumoconiosis, Black lung disease, lung disease, cross stitch, china, River Scene at Qingming Festival