Everdean Lim Sun Ling, 18

School

Anglo-Chinese Junior College

5 January 2025

"In giving, we receive; and in saving lives, we honour our own." (Anonymous)

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School: Anglo-Chinese Junior College

Topic: "In giving, we receive; and in saving lives, we honour our own." (Anonymous)

Award: Open Category, 2025

To Give Is To Receive

The late American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson once observed, “It is one of the beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself”. In a world increasingly obsessed with mutual transactionality and self-profit, organ donation stands firm, perhaps as one of the last few pure expressions of compassion and humanity. Seeking nothing in return: not fame, not recognition nor publicity, but the quiet joy of offering another a second chance at life. Organ donation, both living and deceased, remains one of the most noble acts one can undertake. While easily initially seen as a one-way transfer of hope, it is pertinent we recognise the impacts of organ donation reaches far beyond that of the receiver, for it wields the power to transform the lives of not just those involved, but the hearts of those around them, and inspire compassion within the wider community.

At first glance, the idea that one can give yet receive seems paradoxical. If organ donation is a noble, compassionate act of selflessness and sacrifice, how can the “giver” possibly benefit or gain anything in return? Yet it is precisely this spirit, in giving so freely without expectation, that gives rise to the quiet but profound spiritual and emotional rewards that donors so often experience. The story of kidney donor Lin Dilun stands out as an exemplary act of organ donation, and as a powerful example of how organ donation brings profound rewards not only to recipients but the donors themselves. In 2010, a desperate newspaper appeal for a kidney for then five-year old Bryan Liu touched Lin Dilun deeply, and inspired him to step forward and donate his kidney to a stranger he had never met. Born with one malformed liver and later suffering organ rejection due to a virus, Bryan Liu up till then had spent much of his childhood enduring dialysis sessions and endless medication cocktails. However, the kidney donation, completed in 2012 after rounds of testing and familial reassurance on Li Dilun’s side, cemented Lin Dilun as Singapore’s first altruistic donor and ignited new hope for Bryan Liu to live the normal life he had been denied for so long. Speaking to Channel News Asia (CNA) reflecting on the experience, Lin Dilun shared the deep joy he felt from witnessing Bryan Liu’s renewed, happier, and fulfilling life, and in knowing he had played a part in writing a brighter chapter in Bryan’s story. Till today, the two remain in touch and continue to celebrate festive occasions together.

While Li Dilun may have “lost” a kidney, he has certainly gained a second family, and in doing so, inspired the wider Singaporean community through his admirable act of selflessness. Thus, while the very concept of “organ donation” may appear one-sided, with no clear nor tangible gain for the donor, the stories of real donors serve as evidence that it offers rewards that transcends material value: the profound chance to alter the trajectory of another’s life. Steering their life’s ship to a destination of brighter and greater opportunities, with one’s hands adjusting the sails right beside them. There is a remarkable calmness and satisfaction offered to one’s soul in knowing one has contributed to a cause greater than oneself, in helping to mould a society where compassion and giving are deeply rooted within its core. Admittedly, a largely conservative culture, with an emphasis on self-reliance, leaves many Singaporeans remaining uninformed and unclear on organ donation, often having misconceptions on its procedures or remaining unconvinced on why they should participate in it. However, the publicisation of stories such as Li Dilun’s help to spread awareness on the processes involved and the nobility of organ donation, serving as an inspiration for other Singaporeans to follow suit and hopefully similarly inject hope into the lives of others.

Organ donation also allows us to honour the legacy of those whose own stories have come to an end, but who chose to pass on the torch and offer others the opportunity to continue writing theirs. While death is often seen as the final closure to one’s impact on this Earth, organ donation transforms it into a final act of service, one that immortalises the person they were and the impact they had on those around them. A poignant yet touching illustration of this is the story of Ong Mei June, whose kindness and selflessness continued to shine and inspire others even after her passing. Affectionately known as ‘June’ by her loved ones, June was a devoted family member who prioritised and cared for her family above all else, celebrating her birthday with them every year. Among her colleagues, June was seen as a reliable pillar of support, constantly going above and beyond to care for those around her, even at her own inconvenience. Her actions continually embodied the compassion she carried and extended to those around her throughout her life. On 1 June 2022, however, June tragically suffered a sudden brain haemorrhage. Remaining unconscious until her passing on 13 June 2022, June’s family made the resolute yet bittersweet decision to donate June’s organs to save the lives of other patients. Saving six patients and giving renewed hope to many more, this final act of selflessness immortalised June’s generous and loving spirit, not only in the memories of her loved ones, but in the lives of those she never knew, yet helped write a new chapter in.

June’s story lives on, and showcases how organ donation allows the legacy of those that we love and honour to continue. A testament to who they were, what they stood for and what they were loved for. Organ donation enshrines their final gift to society into the fabric of our community. In offering their warmth to light the candles of others, their nobility and humanity are forever remembered. Zooming out from this, many Singaporean families often face difficulty in deciding whether to donate their late loved one’s organs. Cultural, religious and social biases surrounding death leads to a reluctance to discuss posthumous organ donation, resulting in indecision and confusion in grieving families when their loved ones pass on, with a lack of awareness and information about organ donation further exacerbating the issue. Despite efforts to encourage organ donation, Singapore still has a low rate of deceased organ donation at 3.56 per million population according to the International Registry in Organ Donation and Transplantation in 2022, far below the global rate of 6.84. Patients on organ transplant lists in Singapore face long waiting times, with the average wait for a kidney transplant ranging from 9 to 10 years, and 1 to 2 years for a liver or heart. Such waits can be critical to the survival and treatment of patients, with some dying before an organ ever becomes available or becoming ineligible due to deteriorating health. With an already insufficient pool of organ donors and the continuing persistent, pressing, and urgent need for organ transplants, it is paramount that Singaporeans gain a greater understanding of the process and meaning behind organ donation. Heartfelt, true and close to home stories like June’s serve an important role in not only memorialising June’s life and contributions, but in raising awareness and inspiring the greater population to perhaps one day, save the lives of their fellow citizens.

In conclusion, to echo the words of late American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson’s, “It is one of the beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself”. Organ donation gifts life to the recipient, and simultaneously gifts meaning, purpose and joy to the giver. The formal dictionary definition may list ‘organ donation’ as a medical procedure, but its impact continues far beyond the four walls of the operating theatre. From reigniting hope in families, enshrining a culture of compassion in society, and giving purpose to those who make the ultimate sacrifice. Perhaps it should not be a question of whether one receives when they give, but what rewards they would not reap from their noble acts.

References

Disclaimer: Please note that the views and opinions expressed in the essays for the Live On Festival 2025 are those of the participants and are not endorsed by the National Organ Transplant Unit (Ministry of Health).

To learn more about organ donation and organ transplantation in Singapore, please visit www.liveon.gov.sg

Government officials will never ask you to transfer money or disclose bank log-in details over a phone call.

Everdean Lim Sun Ling, 18

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