A Seven-Year Old Dying Son Donated His Kidney To His Mother and Another Two Organs To Others

A seven-year-old boy battling brain cancer sacrificed his life to save his mother's by giving her his kidney.

Chen Xiaotian was just five when doctors found a malignant tumour in his brain, months before his mother Zhou Lu, 34, contracted kidney disease.

Despite early signs he would recover, the disease aggressively returned, and he was told he would not reach adulthood.

The pair battled through together for two years.

Eventually, Chen told his mother: 'I want to save your life'.

Over time, both had become incredibly weak.

Zhou needed dialysis treatment, while Chen required round-the-clock care.

Towards the end, Chen lost his sight and became so weak he was bed-ridden, nearly paralysed.

Grandma Lu Yuanxiu, 57, said: 'The doctors approached me rather than his mother because of the sensitive nature of the issue. 'They told me that my grandson would not survive but his kidneys could help his mother and also save two other lives as well.'I discussed it with Zhou and she refused point-blank, she absolutely didn't want to hear any talk of that happening.'

But Chen overheard the dilemma, and demanded that his mother let him save her. In tears, his mother agreed, saying that if her son was to die her only consolation was that part of him would live on in her.

Doctors confirmed that the tissue match was perfect and when he died on April 2, he was quickly moved to the operating theatre where his kidneys and liver were removed and then donated to his mother and two other people.

The second kidney went to a 21-year-old girl and his liver to a 27-year-old man. Hospital spokesman Yi Tai said all three transplants were a success and that the youngster's death had allowed three others to survive and live normal lives.

He said: 'The medical team held a brief moment of prayer and silence for the poor child before the transplant, I think it's fair to say there were very few dry eyes.