Article from The Sunday Times, 18 August 2013
CABBY DONATES LIVER TO STRANGER
Sunday’s article (“Cabby donates liver to stranger”), coming a week after Ms Fiona Chan’s commentary (“Putting society above self”; Aug 4) on how (un)likely Singaporeans will help a fellow passenger trapped in a train gap, shows that some of us would go to the aid of those in trouble.
The purest form of giving, if there is such a term, is to give a part of oneself. Sharing our financial wealth should continue to be encouraged as a form of giving. I must confess that I will probably not be able to find the courage to donate part of my liver, or any other organ for that matter. I have, however, been sharing another part of my body with others – I donate my blood three to four times a year. According to the Health Sciences Authority, less than 2 per cent of Singapore’s resident population donate blood, and a mere 37 per cent of these are regular donors.
For those who are considering helping others and are unsure where to start, here’s one suggestion – donate your blood. Our blood bank definitely needs more donors to come forward.
Thank you, Mr Tong, for helping me with another justification for why I am proud to be a Singaporean. I wish him and the recipient of his donation, Mr Toh Lai Keng, continued good health, happiness and peace.
Paul Heng
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