MANILA, Philippines — Itinanghal na bayani at pinakabatang "organ donor" ng Pilipinas ang isang 3-anyos na paslit matapos pumanaw bunsod ng pagkalunod habang ipinagdiriwang ang kaarawan nila ng kanyang kambal.
Ang kwento ay ibinahagi ng kanyang inang si Jennae Carpio, ika-12 ng Nobyembre, isang araw matapos pumanaw ng kanyang anghel na si Ezra, na ikalawang beses nang idineklarang brain dead ng pagamutan.
"After the initial call, we made another push to fight on. His brain continued to deteriorate although his organs were healing perfectly," wika ni Carpio.
"After numerous attempts, they couldn’t find anymore brain activity, his heart became reliant on dopamine and epinephrine, his temperature kept dropping, and there was no longer spontaneous breathing. No amount of science and money could save our boy, as they say, in the end, God’s will shall prevail."
Napakasakit aniya ng nangyari lalo na't kasal nila sa Simbahan isang araw bago ang insidente, bagay na inaasahan sana nila bilang "best day of their lives."
Sa kanyang maiksing buhay, sinabi ni Jennae na maraming na-touch na buhay si Ezra, na aniya'y matalino at charming na batang madaling mahalin.
"Ezra will live on through others. With the support of our families, we decided to donate viable organs left in his body," sabi pa ng ina.
"This is the legacy we can give our child, so he lives on in the lives of others through sacrifice and the gift of generosity. He is the youngest organ donor in the Philippines and the first pedia organ donor at St. Luke’s Medical Center. What an honor to have a hero for a son."
"We will make sure Eli knows, and the world knows, that his twin brother, Ezra, is a fighter, a brave, strong, kind, generous boy who fought his hardest battle and ultimately won through his generosity and love. He is a HERO."
Kidneys napunta sa 24-anyos na pasyente
Miyerkules lang nang kanilang ibalitang successful na nai-transplant sa isang 24-anyos na pasyente ang dalawa sa kanyang kidneys, bagay na nangyari sa parehong araw ng pagkaka-harvest nito noong ika-12 ng Nobyembre.
Matagumpay na ring naibahagi sa dalawang katao ang kanyang corneas, dahilan para matulungang makakita ang isang 22-anyos at 3-anyos na pasyente.
"The pain of losing him is massive and has definitely impacted us in so many ways. No words can explain how we feel and only time can tell how and when we can start to heal," sabi pa ni Jennae.
"The thought of our son being able to successfully extend and improve the quality of lives of others is a gift, as though he is physically gone, he is also, in some way, walking, living, and seeing life through others."
Kamakailan lang nang dalhin nila ang kanyang mga labi sa Vigan, Ilocos Sur upang ipa-cremate. Matapos ito ay plano nilang dalhin ang mga abo pabalik ng Estados Unidos.
Pinapurihan naman ng The Human Organ Preservation Effort (HOPE) ng National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) si Ezra at kanyang pamilya sa matapang nilang desisyon na gawing oportunidad para makatulong ang kanilang pagdadalamhati.
"And to honor our young hero and his family, please help us spread awareness about the nobility of deceased organ donation. Your words could save lives," sabi ng HOPE-NKTI.
"Save someone someday by telling your family you want to be an organ donor. Share your decision and encourage others to do the same."
— James Relativo