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On his 19th birthday, March 18, 2021, Le Van Phuc from Gia Lai gifted himself something extraordinary—he registered to donate his organs. The selfless decision reflects his deep compassion and belief in giving others a chance at life.
A remarkable gift
Phuc, now 22, is a familiar face in the philanthropic community. At 16, while still a high school student, he founded Fly To Sky, a charity group dedicated to community service. The organization has since carried out numerous impactful projects, and in 2023, fresh out of university, Phuc registered to establish a social enterprise.
His fearlessness and decisiveness were evident in his decision to visit Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City on his 19th birthday to sign up as an organ donor - a gift he described as “special” and deeply meaningful.
“I first learned about organ donation in high school and held onto the idea for years,” Phuc said. “At 19, I felt mature enough to make this decision.”
When asked which organs he wanted to donate, Phuc chose all of them. “When the time comes, I don’t know which parts will still be usable. Instead of letting them go to waste, why not let my heart, eyes, or other organs save someone in need?”
Phuc’s decision, while unusual for someone so young, was met with understanding and support from his family. Since registering as a donor, he has embraced a healthier lifestyle, eating vegetarian meals for 10 to 15 days each month and prioritizing his well-being.
A family united in giving
Phuc’s altruism mirrors that of others in the Vietnamese community. Pham Quynh Trang, a dedicated philanthropist from Ho Chi Minh City, registered as a body donor with the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in 2016. In 2019, she extended her commitment by registering to donate her organs and tissues at Cho Ray Hospital.
Trang, a Buddhist, views her decision as a meaningful contribution to society. “Reading beautiful stories about organ donation inspired me. It’s a simple act with immense social impact,” she said.
Initially, Trang’s family opposed her decision, as discussions of death are considered taboo in their culture. Over time, through gentle persistence, she convinced her loved ones to understand and respect her wishes.
Interestingly, both of Trang’s siblings independently registered as organ donors without consulting one another, highlighting a shared value of giving.
The movement has also gained support from public figures like actress Viet Trinh, known for her role in Nguoi Dep Tay Do (The Beauty of Tay Do).
In 2019, Trinh registered as an organ donor at Cho Ray Hospital. She recently made headlines by expressing her wish to donate her body to medical research, despite initial hesitations due to traditional beliefs about preserving the body after death.
“For the past five years, I’ve maintained my health to ensure my organs can help others live if the time comes,” Trinh shared, emphasizing the transformative power of organ donation.
Khanh Hoa
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