Hunan village gives 'gift of life' to those in need

Inspirational documentary

The Gaotian Village Red Cross branch was established in 2018.

Shortly after Xing signed the body and organ donation pledge — sparking heated discussion among villagers about the subject — the documentary A Team of One was screened in the public square.

The film tells the story of Ye Sha, a 16-year-old from Changsha whose untimely passing became a beacon of hope. Through his organ donations, seven patients were given a second chance at life. In a heartfelt tribute, the recipients united as "Team Ye Sha" to honor his memory and realize his unfulfilled basketball dream.

Many villagers were deeply moved by the documentary. In the three days after the screening, 43 villagers inquired about organ donations.

"Xing was the first to pierce that window paper, letting everyone see that this is actually a form of broadmindedness, a great love," Luo, the Party official, said.

Ye's story helped everyone understand that one person's donated corneas, liver, and other organs can "live on" in others, he explained.

Another key driver of change was Peng Lingling, who received a kidney transplant.

In 2001, she was diagnosed with kidney failure and needed a transplant, but matching donors were scarce. Her husband Zhang Deda was desperately worried about what might happen to her if a donor couldn't be found.

Fortunately, a match was found within just two months. She shared her personal story with her fellow villagers at a gathering, and showed them the scar from her surgery.

Because of their experience, the couple wanted to repay their "stroke of luck".

On May 21, 2019, the Red Cross Society of China Hunan Branch held a collective registration ceremony for voluntary body (organ) donation in Gaotian. Peng and her husband went early to sign the donation pledges. Their son and daughter-in-law also signed up.

The total number of registrations on the day was 88, with the oldest person 85 and the youngest just 20. Luo said many people who couldn't attend the event signed up later, taking the total to more than 100.

All the Party members and officials of the village also signed the body and organ donation pledge.

Now in her 60s, Peng remains healthy enough for farm work and square dancing, and lives the life of an ordinary villager. "Thanks to that kind donor who gave me a kidney, I've lived all these extra years. Now we also want to be the kind ones, to help others," Peng said.

Villager Zhou Jiaoying said she persuaded her husband to consent to her becoming a donor. "I told him, 'If I die first, my organs could still be living in someone else. When you miss me, just think I'm still helping people'," Zhou recalled.

Luo said before the 2019 registration ceremony, "it was one person walking ahead, now there's a group of people following".