Tee Hui Yee, a 14-year-old girl who had to carry a 9kg battery pack for more than a year to power her mechanical heart in order to stay alive, finally received a donor heart from a 15-year-old Malay teenager who was declared brain dead after a fatal accident. The doctors at the National Heart Institute took 10 and a half hours to carry out a successful heart transplant on Hui Yee.
The family of the victim, who still remains anonymous at the moment, donated several other organs, including lungs, liver and kidneys for others who are in dire need as well. Apart from Hui Yi, the boy's donated lung a 39-year-old man from Sabah who suffered from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. (same report) Although both patients remain in critical condition at the moment, at least their agonizing wait for the organs they desperately need is over. Now they are given the chance for a second life.
On the other hand, the press managed to locate the donor's family, and the response given to the fact that the family's deceased son had saved two lives, is extremely warm and touching.
The man, who wants to remain anonymous, said he felt happy when he received a telephone call from a doctor telling him that his son’s heart had been successfully transplanted to Hui Yi.
"Although I have lost a son, I now feel like I have a foster daughter," he said.
The donor’s father also expressed surprised that the press knew the family’s whereabouts.
He said the family did not ask for money or any word of thanks.
The only condition he had asked of the hospital was to not reveal the identity of his son.
On why he agreed for his son to be an organ donor, he said: "My son was God’s gift to me. Now, it is time to return the gift to God." - extracted from the same report
Image from Cleveland Sight Center.
Reading such news is like seeing the Sun again after a whole night of thunderstorm. All this while we were shocked by news on a murder case of the most hideous nature, which deeply sadden me, as well as those who share the same empathy and concern towards our society no doubt. News of Hui Yi's heart transplant really sparkles hopes that there are still good people out there, who would help others in need, whom they do not know and have no connection whatsoever, with all their heart without seeking for any fame or fortune.
May the 15-year-old donor rest in peace, and I do pray for the recovery of Hui Yi. Also, well done to the doctors at the National Heart Institute as well.
