A one-year-old child was given a new chance at life after receiving a liver donation from a man who died from sudden brain haemorrhage.

Tan Choon Yen, 45, had collapsed and fell into a coma on Aug 24, reported Malaysian media outlet China Press.

Brain scans at the hospital revealed that Tan suffered from severe bleeding in his brain, with assessments concluding that he was brain dead a few days later.

His wife, Jessica Lam Wen Yunn, 38, told China Press that Tan had complained of an intense headache on Aug 22. He took painkillers, not knowing the severity of the situation.

After he was declared brain dead, doctors found that Tan's organs were still functioning and asked his family if they would be willing to donate them.

According to Lam, her husband's heart valves, lungs, liver, kidneys, corneas, skin and bones were suitable for donation.

"After consideration, I decided to donate the first five. I did not donate his skin and bones because I wanted him to maintain his appearance," she told China Press.

The organ donation and transplant procedures took place on Aug 29, with Tan's liver being donated to a one-year-old child.

"The baby now has a chance to grow up healthy again," said Lam.

Couple discussed organ donation recently

Lam also shared that her husband, a spirit medium at Xiu Yuan Temple in Malacca, had spoken to her about organ donation prior to his death.

"At the time, we only talked about it as an ordinary topic. I never expected that, in such a short time, I would have to make the decision to donate my husband's organs myself," she said.

"I think organ donation is a very meaningful thing," Lam said, adding that she is considering registering herself as an organ donor.

She said: "When I made the decision to donate his organs, I believe he would support me from heaven."

Hospital buildings in the city were illuminated in green as a tribute to Tan following his organ donations.

Tan leaves behind his wife and three children — a 10-year-old son and two daughters aged seven and five.

 

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dana.leong@asiaone.com