Zheng Cao, born during China's Cultural Revolution, came to America 23 years ago with virtually nothing. "Zheng is one of God's best creatures," said Frederica von Stade, a fellow opera singer. "When he puts a lot of good things all in one person, it results in someone like Zheng." With two suitcases at $45 in hand, Cao arrived Dec. 17, 1988. After formal training she became a household name on America' grandest stages, as one the great mezzo-sopranos to come from abroad. But in 2008, on stage and off, something was wrong. Zheng had a pain that wouldn't go away. Soon medical tests delivered grim news. "I said, how bad is it?" Zheng, 44, recalled in an interview with Good Morning America. "And she said 'it's stage four.'"
(Photo: ABC News)
