Taiwan's first movie on organ donation to premiere

Source: Focus Taiwan News

Taipei, March 25 (CNA) The first Taiwanese movie based on the true life story of an organ donor and his family is set to premiere next week in Taipei, a local organ donation organization said Friday.

After one year of production and shooting, the 90-minute film, entitled "Crossroads of Life, " will be screened on March 31, and will feature well-known local celebrities, said the Taiwan Organ Donation Association.

"The movie is based on my older brother, who fell off the roof while fixing a sprinkler for the family rabbit farm in 1996, " said Jessica Wu, the association's secretary general.

Wu recalled that the accident shocked her entire family because the 39-year-old former military officer was in great health condition.

"He was pronounced brain dead by the hospital and we were approached with the idea of donating his organs. But we were never sure whether he wanted it or not since he never talked to us about the issue," she said.

This situation is preventable if one expresses willingness to donate before the accident, she said, adding that carrying an organ donation card would eliminate a family's burden of decision-making after an emergency occurs.

At least seven people benefited from her brother's organs, gaining a heart, liver, lung, two kidneys, cornea, and bones, said Wu. However, following standard procedure, the identity of the recipients remained anonymous.

"Organ donation, without doubt, is a meaningful thing, " she said. "What we wanted to convey through this movie is that having a conversation about organ donation while you can will save your family from suffering any regret later on."

The movie will be shown at the Taiwan Harmony Friends Church in Taipeis Wenshan District on March 31