Australian organ donor helps five Chinese patients

A file photo shows Phillip Andrew Hancock dressed as an ancient Chinese general wearing ancient armor and riding a horse. [Photo: Provided by the Red Cross Society of Chongqing Branch]

Organs donated by an Australian teacher who died from complications from diabetes have saved the lives of three organ recipients and restored the sight of two others.

Phillip Andrew Hancock used to be a teacher at China's Southwest University in Sichuan Province. He passed away on May 9 in Chongqing City due to complications from diabetes. He was 27 years old.

In accordance with his wishes, Hancock's liver, kidneys, and corneas were used for successful transplants into five Chinese patients.

The recipient of his liver is now recovering outside of the intensive care ward. The kidney recipients are now in a stable condition and are able to move around out of bed. And the cornea recipients have been discharged from hospital with healthy eyesight.

According to Philip's father, his son has long been an advocate of organ donation, and was already a registered organ donor in Australia. Respecting their son's wish, Phillip's parents agreed to donate his organs and corneas when they were in China with their son.

Phillip's case marks the seventh successful transplantation of organs from a foreign donor in China since 2014.

The first case took place in Beijing, when organs and corneas from a seven-month-old American girl were transplanted, helping three Chinese children.