15-1-2024 (SINGAPORE) A 15-year-old Malaysian boy, who has been in Singapore since April 2023 awaiting an urgent liver transplant, has resorted to distributing flyers on the streets with his mother in a quest to find a living donor. Boon Heng, a Singapore permanent resident, was diagnosed with end-stage liver disease in April 2023.
Since January 6, 2024, Boon Heng and his mother have been handing out printed materials explaining his condition and the requirements for a suitable donor. Their efforts have been documented on Facebook, where they hope to reach a wider audience.
Boon Heng’s battle with liver disease began when he was about two years old. He experienced recurring illnesses for over six months, and doctors in Malaysia discovered that he had a swollen liver. However, they were unable to determine the cause of his condition. Seeking a second opinion, his parents brought him to Singapore when he was five, where he was diagnosed with auto-immune hepatitis. Boon Heng started taking medication to manage the disease, but eventually, at the age of eight, he required his first liver transplant. His mother was the donor for this successful procedure, which allowed him to return to Malaysia and resume his studies.
Unfortunately, in late 2022, Boon Heng’s health rapidly deteriorated. His parents rushed him back to National University Hospital (NUH) in Singapore in March 2023 for a checkup. It was revealed that he had end-stage liver disease, accompanied by severe portal hypertension complications. The family was informed that an urgent liver transplant was necessary within the next three months to prevent life-threatening hemorrhages. To cover the costs, including surgery expenses for both the donor and Boon Heng, as well as donor assessment costs, they are aiming to raise a total of S$215,000.
Initially, the family managed to find four to five potential donors, but none of them turned out to be a suitable match after testing. Boon Heng’s mother was advised against donating a second time, and his father does not meet the required profile. Hoping for better chances of finding a donor, the family relocated to Singapore and is now searching for an O+ blood type donor between the ages of 21 and 50, with no history of medical conditions.
Despite their efforts to raise awareness and find a donor through social media updates, the family has yet to find a suitable match. Faced with limited options, Boon Heng’s mother came up with the idea of distributing flyers after seeing mailers in her neighborhood. They decided to personally hand out the flyers, starting on January 6, in areas such as Jurong East, Queenstown, and Clementi. While they have faced rejections and skepticism from some individuals, they remain determined to find a donor for Boon Heng.
Boon Heng’s condition has severely restricted his physical activities, as the risk of a rupture is a constant concern for the family. They are anxiously waiting for a suitable donor to come forward and provide him with a chance at a healthier life.
For those interested in helping Boon Heng, more information can be found on the family’s Give.Asia donation appeal
