Thursday, May 18, 2006

Are you A Donor!!! Why not? Read this!!!

Gifts of life

PENANG: He died tragically at the age of 19 from brain tumour. But Teoh Chit Hwa’s act of donating his tissue and organs will give 35 people a new lease of life.

The college student whose ashes will be scattered in Taiwan had once expressed a wish to donate his organs, and when he was declared brain dead at the Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital in Kubang Kerian last Thursday, his organs were harvested for transplant.

His liver, heart and kidneys were immediately transplanted into waiting recipients. His bones, which were cut into smaller pieces, and skin are currently being kept at the USM Hospital in Kubang Kerian awaiting transplant.

His mother Yew Shot Foon, 55, said Chit Hwa, a former student of Chung Ling High School here, told them two years ago that he wanted to donate his organs, after being inspired by a Korean television series. “When Chit Hwa was brain dead and on life support in hospital, we were reluctant at first and did not give up hope as his heart was still beating,” said Yew, a seamstress.

“We decided at last to fulfil his wish before it was too late and the organs become useless.”

Eleven family members and friends, including his father Chang Aun, 56, and only sister Wan Cheen, 21, turned up at the Batu Gantong crematorium yesterday to collect his ashes.

The family will fly to Taiwan today to scatter his ashes in a river flowing into the Pacific Ocean that had been Chit Hwa’s favourite spot when his godfather took him there in January.

“He loved peaceful scenery and was a quiet boy at home. We only realised how active he was when his friends compiled a commemorative photo album for us,” said Chang Aun, an odd- job worker.

“Although he has died, it still feels like he’s alive because of his meaningful decision (to give away his organs).”

Chang Aun added that his son had a peaceful expression as he lay in his coffin, and even a young girl was not afraid to caress his face when paying her last respects before the cremation on Saturday. Chit Hwa was initially diagnosed as having ulcers two years ago, and on Jan 12, doctors gave the bad news that he had a brain tumour.


BRAVO Chang Aun ...Godspeed!!!!


4 comments:

Svejjen said...

I've got to get my donor card...

That's all I gotta say... *sighs* keep procastinating on it.

Angie Siew said...

I tried to go for it... My mum forbids me... She said cannot... She said human die must be in complete form... if not next time alive will not be in a complete form... Chinese belief... I dont know la... tot of doing it but...

Another thing she doesnt like me to do is donate blood... she said i get sick often whenever i donate blood...

Wat can i do?

darthvadai said...

This aint a forum to force people to do thisn just a wake up call of my thoughts. Just as we have believes, principals and hand-me-down traditions, you wont be the 1st and certainly not the last to be faced with it.

Well here is an idea, you born in to this world virgin leave the world (hopefully) not a virgin does tradition not apply.

We do what we must and believe in what we can as individuals,

Cheers

TJ said...

i donated most of my body parts...