Nguyen Tran Thuy Duong is the mother of Hai An, a 7-year-old girl, who inspired everyone in Hanoi when she donated her corneas six years ago.

Thuy Duong met the public again at a ceremony on June 13 announcing the establishment of the Tissue Bank, and the opening of a human organ and tissue donation campaign branch at an eye hospital in Hanoi.

Thuy Duong said that, during treatment at K Hospital, Hai An said she wanted to donate her organs to other patients, but under current law, only the organs of people aged 18 or more can be donated. Only her corneas could be used

An’s corneas were used for a 73-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man.

When the touching story about Hai An was reported in the media, the country saw many people registering to donate their organs after death. 

Within 10 days, nearly 1,000 individuals registered to donate, a record high, according to the National Coordinating Center for Human Organ Transplantation.

Inspired by Hai An, Van Nhi, a 12-year-old girl, donated her corneas after 10 years of struggling with Papylome and undergoing 50 surgeries.

Thuy Duong said: “Thanks to the donated cornea, two blind people have found the light. I myself found a gift left by my beloved baby – meeting her in the most special way."

Recalling that day, Duong said her daughter’s wish changed her life as she can feel happiness in pain. 

Thuy Duong is currently a consultant and campaigner for human tissue and organ donation. She knows there are still barriers that prevent people from donating organs.

“I think everyone only has one life and we can make it more significant if we bring happiness to ourselves and to other people, and ease people’s pain. So death won’t be meaningless,” she said.

It is estimated that Vietnam has over 300,000 people who are blind due to corneal diseases and need corneal transplants to regain sight. To date, only about 5,000 people have had corneal transplant surgery.

Vo Thu