Retired principal with cancer donates corneas and body to continue contributing to education

A 67-year-old retired principal, identified only as Principal Fan, who passed away from cancer, has made a posthumous contribution to education and medicine through organ and body donation. Her family honored her lifelong commitment to education by supporting her wish to continue serving as a teacher even after her passing. With the assistance of the Hsinchu Mackay Memorial Hospital's organ donation and retrieval team, her corneas were donated, enabling someone else to see. Subsequently, National Tsing Hua University's team handled the donation of her body for medical research and education. The hospital noted that the family initially believed cancer patients were ineligible for organ or tissue donation. However, after professional explanation and support from the medical team, they learned that some cancer patients, following a physician's assessment, could still donate tissues like corneas, fulfilling Principal Fan's final wish. To promote organ donation awareness, Hsinchu Mackay Memorial Hospital has launched a series of activities starting this month across its three campuses. These include setting up consent signing stations for organ donation, advance medical directives, and palliative care intentions. The hospital, which is the only facility in the greater Hsinchu area qualified for kidney and cornea transplants, has supported 33 deceased donors since 2020, giving new life and health to many. They are committed to enhancing transplant medical quality and raising public understanding of organ donation's significance and value through education and outreach.