Lung transplant gives Hong Kong woman chance at life after rare disease left her on verge of death
- Doctors at Queen Mary Hospital perform operation days after family issued urgent plea for donor
A 24-year-old Hong Kong woman suffering from a rare medical condition underwent a successful lung transplant on Wednesday, but remains in critical condition.
Queen Mary Hospital said doctors had performed the operation smoothly on Ng Lok-ching, whose family made an urgent plea to the city last Friday for a lung donation, as her lungs and heart had stopped working.
Ng’s life hung by a thread after she suffered from pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD), causing blockages in the veins of her lungs, and heart failure.
The unusual illness was the result of complications developed following a blood transfusion last December, as her body had been unable to produce sufficient blood cells.
We offer our sincere gratitude to the donor and their families … Not only did you extend Lok-ching’s life and allow her to pursue her dreams, you have also saved our whole family
Her mother said in a statement Ng cried after learning the hospital had found a suitable donor.
“Although she’s already weak and feeble, I saw strands of hope in her tears,” the mother said.
