KUALA LUMPUR: The 28cm-long L-shaped scar on her stomach is a sign that Lai Mei Yi, 27, has left a beautiful mark in life.
Lai, 27, donated 60% of her liver to 16-year-old Teng Cyun Shen who had been diagnosed with end-stage Caroli disease last November, a rare congenital disorder of the bile ducts in the liver.
Lai has now taken her charitable side one step further by being a volunteer at a temple which she has requested not be identified.
Lai, 27, who was formerly a salesperson, said the liver donation was a turning point in her life and she decided to make charity work her main career.
"I plan to go for further studies on Buddhism either locally or in Taiwan over the next four years before continuing to do more charity work as I hope to help more people," she told theSun today.
Early this year, Lai, who is from Sungai Siput, Perak, had decided to donate a portion of her liver to Teng after learning that he was in dire need of a transplant.
Teng, from Malacca, had been told by doctors that he only had between two and three months to live.
Over 10 people had also registered as donors upon learning of Teng's plight.
However, Lai was selected after various tests were carried out and results showed she was the most suitable candidate. Both of them then underwent a 12-hour liver transplant surgery at the National University Hospital, Singapore, on Feb 20.
The cost for the surgeries were funded by two local media organisations.
Asked whether she has any regret over this decision, Lai said she never had any regret.
"I will still make the same decision if you asked again," she said.
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