A 39-year-old Singapore Armed Forces regular overcame his mother’s initial refusal to accept his liver donation, ultimately saving her life through a successful transplant operation in 2023.
Mother’s Critical Condition Forces Desperate Decision
Leo Qixiang watched helplessly as his mother Lin Yihua (name transliterated from Mandarin) battled acute liver failure in March 2023.
The 39-year-old SAF regular knew time was running out.
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Lin’s condition began when a COVID-19 infection triggered Wilson’s disease, a rare genetic disorder that primarily affects the liver.
She had been unaware of carrying this hereditary condition before the virus struck. Her liver function deteriorated rapidly, landing her on the emergency transplant waiting list.
Days passed without a suitable donor organ becoming available. Lin’s condition remained critical as her family watched her fight for survival at the hospital.
Leo stepped forward with an offer to donate part of his liver to save his mother’s life. Lin immediately refused the proposal.
“Mom disagreed at first. She didn’t want me to take that risk. But I knew donating my liver was the only chance to save her,” Leo recalled.
Lin worried about the surgical risks her son would face. She feared the operation might damage his career prospects and affect his family responsibilities. Leo had two young children at the time, with his youngest being just one year old.
Final Preparations Include Writing Will and Video Message
Leo refused to give up on convincing his mother. Through repeated conversations, his determination and sense of filial responsibility eventually moved Lin to accept the transplant.
Medical evaluations revealed both Leo and his sister were suitable liver donors for their mother. However, his sister had given birth just over a month earlier, making Leo the preferred choice for the procedure.
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Before the operation, Leo made thorough preparations for every possible outcome. He drafted a will and recorded a video message as his final words to family members.
“Because my children are still young, I wrote my will and recorded a video message as my last words. I sent it to my sister, asking her to share it with my family if something happened to me during surgery,” he explained.
The medical team scheduled Leo to donate 70% of his liver to save his mother’s life.
Successful Recovery Leads to New Chapter
Leo prepared his body through regular exercise and dietary adjustments before the surgery. He also worked on his mental preparation for the significant operation ahead.
Both mother and son recovered successfully from their respective surgeries.
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The transplant gave them a fresh start and renewed appreciation for life together.
Post-surgery, Leo followed medical instructions strictly. He avoided lifting heavy objects and gradually rebuilt his physical strength over time.
Two years after the operation, Lin remains deeply moved by her son’s sacrifice. She maintains regular exercise and healthy habits to honor the gift she received.
“His liver is inside my body now. I must live healthily and well,” Lin said.
Leo returned to his demanding role with the Singapore Armed Forces after recovery. He gradually resumed training and eventually achieved a perfect score of 100 points on his Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT).
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“This isn’t as scary as people imagine. The key is weighing the risks and making proper plans for your family,” Leo advised those considering organ donation.
Today marks World Transplant Day. The National University Hospital’s Centre for Organ Transplantation (NUCOT) aims to raise public awareness about organ transplantation.
The center will host an organ donation awareness roadshow on 13-14 Aug 2025 at NUH’s main building, coinciding with World Organ Donation Day on 13 Aug 2025.
Leo’s decision to donate part of his liver to his mother stands as an extraordinary act of courage and filial devotion. Living-donor liver transplants are not only life-saving, but they also offer recipients a better chance at long-term survival and faster recovery compared to deceased-donor transplants.
The surgery can be scheduled before the patient’s condition worsens, reducing the risk of dying while waiting for a donor and improving overall outcomes for both donor and recipient.
For donors, the sacrifice is real—major surgery and weeks of recovery—but most go on to live healthy, active lives, with the liver’s unique ability to regenerate allowing both donor and recipient to regain full health.
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