Sunday, September 17, 2017

Organ donor's parents meet woman who received her heart

Source Website: http://www.asiaone.com/malaysia/organ-donors-parents-meet-woman-who-received-her-heart
By The Star/Asia News Network, 16 September 2017


The moment Mark Kok Wah and his wife Ariess Tan met their new 'daughter' Serene Lee, they burst into tears.
PHOTO: The moment Mark Kok Wah and his wife Ariess Tan met their new "daughter" Serene Lee, they burst into tears.
Posted by The Star/Asia News Network, 16 September 2017
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GEORGE TOWN - The moment Mark Kok Wah and his wife Ariess Tan met their new "daughter" Serene Lee, they burst into tears.

Lee, a 37-year-old part-time clinic assistant from Singapore, is the recipient of the couple's late daughter Carmen's heart.


Mark Kok Wah and his wife Ariess Tan listening to the recording of Carmen's heartbeats from Serene Lee's chest.

PHOTO: Mark Kok Wah and his wife Ariess Tan listening to the recording of Carmen's heartbeats from Serene Lee's chest.
"All of a sudden, I'm very delighted to hear the heartbeat. My daughter is not 100 per cent gone and this is proof that she is still around," said Mark.
Posted by The Star/Asia News Network, 16 September 2017
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When Ariess Tan met their new 'daughter' Serene Lee, they burst into tears.

PHOTO: When Ariess Tan met their new "daughter" Serene Lee, they burst into tears. Lee, a 37-year-old part-time clinic assistant from Singapore, is the recipient of the couple's late daughter Carmen's heart.
Posted by The Star/Asia News Network, 16 September 2017
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They teared and hugged as family members and close friends looked on.

PHOTO: They teared and hugged as family members and close friends looked on.
Posted by The Star/Asia News Network, 16 September 2017
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"I am happy I have a daughter right now," Mark said during the meeting at Komtar yesterday during a "Gift of Life" programme.

The trio then hugged as family members and close friends looked on.

Among them were Mark's mother Lee Siew Ngor, 73, who had been against the decision to donate Carmen's organs after her death in 2015.

At the press conference room later, Mark and Tan took turns to listen to the sound of Carmen's heartbeat using a stethoscope before tearing up again.


Mark and Tan took turns to listen to the sound of Carmen's heartbeat using a stethoscope before tearing up again.

PHOTO: Mark and Tan took turns to listen to the sound of Carmen's heartbeat using a stethoscope before tearing up again.
Posted by The Star/Asia News Network, 16 September 2017
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"I don't usually cry in public.

"All of a sudden, I'm very delighted to hear the heartbeat. My daughter is not 100 per cent gone and this is proof that she is still around," said Mark, a 46-year-old building contractor.

He added that the heartbeat was "very fast".

Tan, 43, said she was happy to be able to hear Carmen's heartbeat after two years.

"I'm very touched and grateful to Serene for giving us this chance to hear Carmen's heart," she said as she wiped away her tears.

Mark had received a Facebook message from Lee last month, expressing her intention to visit them after she read his Facebook posting about his wish to hear his daughter's heartbeat.

Lee said she was glad to have summoned the courage to contact Carmen's parents.


Lee said she was glad to have summoned the courage to contact Carmen's parents.

PHOTO: Lee said she was glad to have summoned the courage to contact Carmen's parents.
Posted by The Star/Asia News Network, 16 September 2017
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"I have been struggling with my emotions these last two years.

"Daddy Mark and mummy Ariess have been very welcoming. I have always had this yearning to come to Penang.

"I thank God for giving me this new lease on life," Lee added.


Serene Lee, Ariess and Carmen's maternal grandmother, Mark's mother Lee Siew Ngor, 73, at the far left.

PHOTO: Serene Lee, Ariess and Carmen's maternal grandmother, Mark's mother Lee Siew Ngor, 73, at the far left.
"I have been struggling with my emotions these last two years. Daddy Mark and mummy Ariess have been very welcoming. I have always had this yearning to come to Penang. I thank God for giving me this new lease on life," said Serene Lee.
Posted by The Star/Asia News Network, 16 September 2017
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Carmen, a former student of Penang Chinese Girls' High School, had secured a nursing scholarship at Nanyang Polytechnic in Singa­pore in 2015.

However, her joy was short-lived when she fell into a coma in July that year following an arterial rupture in her brain.

Carmen passed away three weeks later aged 18.


Carmen, a former student of Penang Chinese Girls' High School, had secured a nursing scholarship at Nanyang Polytechnic in Singa­pore in 2015.
PHOTO: Carmen, a former student of Penang Chinese Girls' High School, had secured a nursing scholarship at Nanyang Polytechnic in Singa­pore in 2015. However, her joy was short-lived when she fell into a coma in July that year following an arterial rupture in her brain. Carmen passed away three weeks later aged 18.
Posted by The Star/Asia News Network, 16 September 2017
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Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng described the reunion as a significant and touching moment.

"I think no words can express the wonderful gift left by Carmen.

"It lends meaning to her life, even though she was only 18," he said

By The Star/Asia News Network, 16 September 2017


To read more, click on the following pictures.


Ms Serene Lee (left) with her children Jasher, 14, Jazaree, seven, and Joash, 17. The photo was taken in March last year during her first trip to Taiwan with a new heart.
PHOTO: Ms Serene Lee (left) with her children Jasher, 14, Jazaree, seven, and Joash, 17. The photo was taken in March last year during her first trip to Taiwan with a new heart.
Parents of heart donor to meet recipient, Serene Lee, who tracks them down after reading about teen girl's tragic death in the papers.
Ms Lee, a part-time clinic assistant had no heartbeat of her own. Her heart was fully powered instead by a mechanical pump that ran on a set of external batteries that had to be recharged every 12 hours.
She suffered from dilated cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle which causes a weakening of the heart such that it is unable to pump blood efficiently. This condition often leads to heart failure.
Mr Mark and Ms Lee said they are coming forward with their stories to raise awareness about organ donation in this part of the world, so more lives can be saved and that Carmen's legacy can continue.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Serene Lee
Picture posted by Audrey Tan, The Straits Times on 12 September 2017 at 5:00 am SGT
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http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parents-of-heart-donor-to-meet-recipient
http://veryfatoldman.blogspot.sg/2017/09/parents-eager-to-hear-their-late.html


A beating heart, strong and even, resonated for 30 seconds, then their tears started to flow.
PHOTO: A beating heart, strong and even, resonated for 30 seconds, then their tears started to flow.
Carmen Mark's parents (above) listening to a recording of her heart beating in Ms Serene Lee's chest.
PHOTOS: THE STRAITS TIMES, ST FILE
Picture posted by Audrey Tan, The New Paper on 16 September 2017 at 06:00 am
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http://veryfatoldman.blogspot.sg/2017/09/recording-of-dead-daughters-heartbeat.html


Carmen Mark in her student nurse's uniform.
PHOTO: Carmen Mark in her student nurse's uniform.
Carmen, who had been studying to be a nurse at Nanyang Polytechnic, had suffered an arterial rupture in her brain.
But in death, she became a lifesaver - her heart, liver, kidneys and pancreas were donated to four patients. Her parents signed their consent for her organs to be donated under the Medical (Therapy, Education and Research) Act, which was what she had wanted.
'I promise you. Carmen's legacy will live on and I will walk the hospital wards until this heart stops, to be an inspiration to other patients for as long as this heart beats.' - Serene Lee, the recipient of Carmen's heart
Picture posted by Audrey Tan, The Straits Times on 12 September 2017 at 5:00 am SGT
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http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parents-of-heart-donor-to-meet-recipient
http://veryfatoldman.blogspot.sg/2017/09/couple-to-meet-woman-who-received-their.html



Reference
[1] The Star/Asia News Network, Organ donor's parents meet woman who received her heart, posted on 16 September 2017, http://www.asiaone.com/malaysia/organ-donors-parents-meet-woman-who-received-her-heart
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