Ex-prisoner's way of redemption
By Li Dapeng (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-12-22 06:34

A dying man's wish to donate a kidney in order to make amends for his criminal past has been dealt a blow.

Initial tests on Ma Jianhua, who has an incurable lung disease, suggest he will not be able to donate the organ as he has the hepatitis virus, which could be transmitted on to the donor patient.

Ma Jianhua

Experts at the Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command also said the 37-year-old's frail condition made the prospect of him surviving any surgery unlikely, though more tests are still being carried out.

A possible donor match had even been found for Ma's kidney.

Ma, from Chengdu of Sichuan Province, said he decided to try to donate one of his kidneys in a bid to get his life back on track and to help others. He has been jailed several times for fighting in previous years.

His foster parents and wife were so disappointed with his behaviour that they severed all contact with him. Even his 14-year-old son was ashamed to have such a father.

"My past faults had hurt many people," Ma said. "I want to win back my dignity."

After he was released from prison in 2003, he began a job mushroom planting with the help of local government and decided to make a fresh start.

He signed a body donation agreement with Chengdu Red Cross earlier this year when he knew a college student with kidney failure. Sadly, the student did not live long enough to have the transplant operation.

Ma was diagnosed with the lung disease in July, which gave him even more determination to donate a kidney.

Chengdu Red Cross later found Ni Xiheng, from Handan of Hebei Province, was a donor match to receive one of Ma's kidneys. They suggested the two men have the operation in Fuzhou, which is renowned for its medical expertise in transplants and has a comfortable climate.

"I would be very sorry if I am not suitable for the graft," said Ma. "Because this is the only thing I can do for the society in my last days."

Ni had left for Fuzhou before Ma's initial tests brought bad news. "I'm very grateful for Ma, even if we don't have the operation finally."

While many people are moved by Ma's story, others have different opinions. "Only a risky donation could help Ma atone for his past crimes and win back his dignity?" said one Internet message left by a netizen.

Confronting doubters, Ma said: "I've already had my new life. I don't want to be a hero for the donation, I only want to be a normal person."

Ma Xiaotao, Ma Jianhua's son, told reporters that his father's actions had changed his opinion towards his dad. "Even if dad could not have the operation, he is still a good man in my heart."