Hai An’s corneas bring light to two others. (Photo baonhandao.vn)

In the past couples of weeks, 650 people have registered at the Vietnam National Coordinating Centre for Human Organ Transplantation to donate their organs after they die. 

“It’s wasteful to throw away a cake box after eating the cake. It’s the same with a man. He can help many others who are in need, instead of being buried or cremated. At first, I decided to donate some of my own organs. Then I thought of the many people who might need tendons or, after being burned, might need my skin. My skeleton could be used as a teaching aid for medical students. After 2 days of deliberation, I decided to register to donate all parts of my body,” said Nguyen Thi Minh Tam, who lives in Minh Khai Street, Hanoi and is one of the would-be donors.

Hai An’s story encouraged Nguyen Quang Tien of Dinh Cong ward in Hanoi to carry out his late father’s wish. Tien recalled that his father wanted to donate his body to medical research after he died. For a number of reasons his wish hadn’t been realized.

“When my father died, he wanted to do something for this life. I feel indebted to him. Inspired by Hai An’s story, I registered to donate all parts of my body. I will fulfill my father’s wish,” Tien elaborated.

Lawyer Nguyen Quang Tien from Dang Son Lawyers and Associates registers for organ donation on March 5, 2018. (Photo: Van Hai/VOV)

Nguyen Hoang Phuc, the center’s Deputy Director, said Hai An has inspired those who want to donate organs not to hesitate any more.

“All registered organ donors feel proud of their decision. They are happy to have an opportunity to give the priceless gift of life to another person as soon as they die.  They are happy at that moment because they have overcome the fear of death and faced it,” Phuc noted.

Phuc said the number of registrations has increased since the beginning of the year to 100 fold. In Vietnam more than 10,000 people currently need organ transplants and about 300,000 need replacement corneas. The Vietnam National Coordinating Centre for Human Organ Transplantation at Cho Ray Hospital in HCM city, and the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Hospital in Hanoi are the 2 official addresses in Vietnam receiving registration applications.