Gift of sight as the final act of kindness
Organ donor Lee’s corneas go to two people
Lee Kok Choon’s gift of corneas allowed two others to regain their vision and emerge from the darkness.
The 34-year-old salesman had pledged to donate his organs. When he suffered a stroke that rendered him brain dead, his family decided to fulfil his wish.
Lee’s widow Hok Siew Ting said her late husband had always liked to help people in need and had signed the pledge when he was in secondary school.
“The children are very proud of their father. We could not donate the other organs due to a lack of time.
“The medical team must come from Kuala Lumpur to harvest the organs. We are sorry we could not do more,” said Hok as reported in
Sin Chew Daily’s English portal
MySinchew.com.
The couple have a five-year-old son and a one-year-old daughter.
Lee had experienced body numbness on July 23 and was discharged after seeking medical treatment.
He became unwell again on Aug 4 and returned to Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan but this time he lost consciousness. Lee was subsequently declared brain dead due to a stroke.
Hok hoped that through her husband’s story, more people would understand and be aware of the importance of organ donation.
“I believe my husband would have supported me in conveying this message to everyone,” said Hok, adding that she would also be signing up as a donor.
According to a report in November last year, only 689 Malaysians were organ donors out of the 430,572 who have pledged since 1976.
It was understood that although many pledged to be organ donors, their loved ones often refused to give consent after their demise.
Information on organ donation could be obtained from www.facebook.com/dermaorgan and twitter. com/dermaorgan or by email at ntrc@moh.gov.my.