Dad fulfills vow to donate organs

A recent charitable act by a father and son has touched the hearts of millions of people in Zhejiang province.

On Tuesday afternoon, the body of 59-year-old Sun Xinwu, an army veteran from Quzhou, Zhejiang, was wheeled into an operating room at First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine to have his organs removed for donation.

The surgery was the fulfillment of an oath taken both by Sun and his son, Sun Jinchi.

"Dad, today you finally fulfilled your promise," the son said. "I, too, will always remember the promises we both made."

Organ donation has long been regarded as one of the most selfless and compassionate things one can do.

It not only saves other people's lives, but also shows that even after death, one can make a significant difference in the world.

Sun Xinwu, who used to work with the Jvhua Group Corp in Zhejiang, died on July 7 from a brain hemorrhage.

Upon hearing the news of his father's death, Sun Jinchi signed up to have his father's organs donated.

At the hospital, Sun Xinwu's liver, kidneys and corneas were harvested, giving hope to four patients suffering from organ failure and two who are blind.

A passionate and outgoing person, the elder Sun was always willing to lend a hand to those in need in his community and frequently participated in public welfare activities, including assisting seniors and people with disabilities, his son said.

After divorcing his wife, Sun Xinwu gained custody of Sun Jinchi, who was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome at age 3.

His condition worsened into uremia, and he required frequent hemodialysis treatment and care.

However, Sun Jinchi's life turned around in December 2021 after he received a kidney transplant at First Affiliated Hospital — the same place his father's organs were harvested.

His health improved, and he has since recovered from his disease.

Both father and son then became active promoters of voluntary posthumous organ donations and vowed to donate their organs after their deaths.

"Now that my father has passed away, I will always regard him as a model in my life and demonstrate even greater perseverance as life goes on," Sun Jinchi said.

Voluntary posthumous donations and living donations between relatives are China's only legal avenues for transplantation, and the country has vigorously publicized related policies.

By the middle of May this year, about 6.23 million people had registered with the China Organ Donation Administrative Center to donate posthumously, and about 138,200 organs had been donated since 2010.

mazhenhuan@chinadaily.com.cn