Chih-Chien Hsiao was a life-loving and sociable freshman at the Chinese Culture University in Taipei, Taiwan. In 2005 a tragic accident took his life as he rode his scooter to school. His mother, Shen-Hui Shu signed the organ donation consent form reluctantly, and on Dec. 1, 2005, Chih-Chien donated his heart, liver, kidneys and tissue, benefiting over 60 recipients. One day, Shen-Hui was watching a TV program about organ donation. The young man on the screen was the recipient of Chih-Chien's liver, who said, "I want to thank my donor. Because of you, I will live courageously." Shen-Hui then realized the miracle her son had helped to create.

Chih-Chien's Story

Being the youngest boy in the family with one older brother and a twin sister, Chih-Chien Hsiao had a vivacious and outgoing personality. He was much loved among his relatives, especially his mother, Shen-Hui Shu. Chih-Chien and his mother would often go to social events, such as baking classes, together.

Chih-Chien was 18 years old and a freshman at the Chinese Culture University in Taipei when on Nov. 26, 2005, a tragic accident took his life as he rode his scooter to school.

At Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, the Tzu Chi Medical volunteers comforted Shen-Hui with care and patience. Shen-Hui was feeling helpless when a social worker came to her and suggested the idea of organ donation. In the beginning, Shen-Hui was appalled by the suggestion. Then, after detailed explanation and consultations, Shen-Hui signed the consent form reluctantly. On Dec. 1, 2005, Chih-Chien donated his heart, liver, both kidneys, skin, both corneas and bones, benefiting over 60 recipients.

After the ordeal, Shen-Hui began to withdraw from people and refused to answer phone calls or visits from everyone including her friends. One day, Shen-Hui stumbled upon a blog post by her daughter, Chih-Chien's twin sister. Her daughter revealed how she missed her brother and expressed disinterest in life. Shen-Hui was shocked as she read through her daughter's blog. She realized how the death of Chih-Chien had affected the whole family and how she was neglecting her daughter. Hence, she started to get in touch with people.

One day, Shen-Hui was watching Da Ai TV (Tzu Chi's television channel) and on came a program about organ donation. Coincidentally, the young man on TV was the recipient of Chih-Chien's liver, who said, "I want to thank my donor. Because of you, I will live courageously." At this point, Shen-Hui broke down in tears and realized the miracles her son had helped helped to create.

During this period, Tzu Chi volunteers persistently tried to reach Shen-Hui knowing that she needed emotional support. With the help of volunteers, Shen-Hui started to engage actively in the promotion of organ donation. She can comfort the donor families more effectively because no one understands the emotional turmoil better than she.