Ever since his diagnosis of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), Cai Lei, a former executive at a leading e-commerce company in China, has been racing against time – not just in his personal fight against the incurable disease, but to ignite hope for other patients.

Despite great physical suffering, Cai has established a big data research platform for ALS and assembled a scientific research team, while also promoting organ and tissue donation and raising funds for ALS drug development.

"Better to fight than wait for death," in his own words.

For this year's Global ALS/MND Awareness Day, CGTN witnessed first-hand Cai's relentless spirit in the face of ALS.

Here are some highlights from CGTN's interview with Cai.

We also invited experts from around the world to discuss how AI is expected to shift the treatment of the disease. Watch the full video:

Health Talk ALS Special: Everyday Heroes

(All images designed by CGTN's Li Yueyun)