From Heartbreak to Brave Release: Unconditional Love Allows Life to Continue and Rebirth

When organ donors face the end of their lives, choosing to pass on a new life through unconditional love leaves a profound and moving chapter in the life stories of themselves and others. However, behind every decision is a brave process for a family, moving from heartbreak to the decision to let go.

"I am merely fulfilling his final wish. He left so suddenly; although I was extremely reluctant when nodding in agreement, thinking that someone is struggling to survive while waiting for an organ, and that if they could receive a donation, those lives could be reborn." Lee Li-chih, the family member of an organ donor, recalled the day she difficultly nodded to agree to the organ donation of her husband, Lin Ching-feng.

Lee Li-chih said that Lin Ching-feng took their two National Health Insurance cards in 2018 to register their willingness for organ donation. "He has always been someone who loves life, has a strong sense of responsibility toward his family, and is happy to help others; I am not surprised at all by his decision."

● Organ Donation Saves Over 10 People; Widow Feels Proud of Her Husband

Five years ago, Lin Ching-feng accidentally fell from a high sunshade awning at home, suffering severe brain trauma. After three days of emergency treatment at the hospital, his condition continued to deteriorate. Because of the organ donation consent registered on his health insurance card, the hospital initiated the organ donation coordination mechanism.

"Outside the intensive care unit, I actually didn't have much hesitation, because this was the only thing I could do for him to fulfill his wish. In the end, his organs saved more than 10 people in total. I feel proud of him." On the final journey, Lee Li-chih knelt before her beloved outside the operating room to say goodbye. Holding back her grief, she told Lin Ching-feng, "You are a great Bodhisattva going to save many people."

Chen Hsiao-chin, the social worker at Chang Gung Hospital who assisted Lee Li-chih in completing all the steps, said that when Lee Li-chih was signing the organ donation consent form, her hands were trembling, requiring a deep breath for every word she wrote, and she insisted on staying at the hospital throughout the entire process. At the end, she cried until she collapsed outside the operating room, but the powerful force of fulfilling the organ donation wish for her family could still be felt.

Lee Li-chih said that amidst the immense sorrow, she still felt proud of her husband. "During that time, I often looked up at the plaque Chang Gung Hospital gave him; I think he would be satisfied with the decision I made for him."

On the day of the interview, Lee Li-chih frequently laughed out loud, but in fact, after her husband passed away, she suffered from depression and panic disorder. It wasn't until last year that she started going out to ride a bike and enjoy the sun, slowly regaining her rhythm of life. Lee Li-chih stated that life is impermanent; if an accident truly happens, being able to help others at the end of life and allowing life to continue makes it more meaningful.

Kaohsiung Medical University Vice President Lin Chih-lung also shared a touching story at an organ donation gratitude assembly. Lin Chih-lung said that when he talked about the story of the "Little Angel Jui-lien," everyone present was moved to tears and touched by life.

● Mother Voluntarily Proposes Organ Donation; 8-Year-Old Angel Leaves Love to the World

Lin Chih-lung said he was responsible for taking care of Hung Jui-lien, who was only 8 years old at the time. It was an age when she should have been carefree, happily going to school with her backpack. However, a sudden severe illness forced her parents to face the most difficult choice in their lives.

Lin Chih-lung recalled that Hung Jui-lien was transferred emergently from Siaogang Hospital to KMU. The medical team went all out to save her, refusing to give up any hope. Yet, everyone actually understood that the child's prognosis was not optimistic. The day after the surgery, Hung Jui-lien's mother voluntarily proposed organ donation to the intensive care unit team. "At that moment, the entire team was extremely shocked and also very heartbroken."

At the time, Hung's mother tearfully mentioned that she had previously signed an organ donation consent form at Siaogang Hospital, and the young Hung Jui-lien was by her side. At that time, Hung Jui-lien innocently said: "If one day an accident happens to me, you must also let me go just like you did."

Lin Chih-lung said that an innocent, childish remark from back then later became a heartbreaking yet admirable commitment to life. He also thanked Hung Jui-lien's parents for choosing to face death with love in their most grief-stricken moment, ensuring that life did not stop at parting but was transformed into another kind of continuation through organ donation.

Chen Hsiao-chin said that in her interactions with family members, "it made us realize that this is not just a job; organ donation is truly a very meaningful thing." She also frankly admitted that although there are still many who do not support organ donation and rejections are not uncommon, organ donors and their families show everyone bravery and goodness, and this belief is worth persisting in.