Ontario liver donor inspired to help impoverished children in Vietnam

Chung, whose father is from Vietnam, felt the pull further the more he read — the Wagners adopted the twins from Vietnam.

“I decided to help because it’s the right thing to do and we’re in the military so we help each other out,” said Chung, now 21.

Even in the early days of military school, Chung said he felt like he was already part of the rat race, everything done to pursue a lucrative career.

“I feel like four years of a prime time in my life taken away by school where I don’t give back to my community is kind of a burden,” Chung said.

“So I put my name in and got a call a week later.”

After many successful screenings he was the second on the donor list.

“I was disappointed because I put in a lot of effort and I knew I was one of the healthiest candidates around.”

Then the top choice backed out and he got a call from the hospital and told to be in Toronto in 12 hours. He hopped on a train within hours and was en route to Toronto. He didn’t tell his parents about the upcoming surgery, but had to get his brother to sign power of attorney at the last minute in case he died or fell into a coma.

He eventually told his parents, who live in Vancouver.

Chung met with the girls’ family after the transplant, but he is only going public with his story now because together with the Wagners they are announcing a non-profit organization — Twins For Hope — to help impoverished children in Vietnam.

“Kris is now part of our family, we love him — I mean what else can you do but love a person who saved your girl’s life?” said Johanne Wagner, the twins’ mother. “And now we’re going to work on helping other kids in need with our foundation.”

Wagner said the twins, who are getting ready for their second year in school, are thriving and reaching developmental milestones every week.

Chung, for his part, is now healthy.

“My memory did take a hit because my body was so busy recovering that my school performance was affected, but I’ve caught up with everything,” Chung said.

He said the liver donation was part of a journey of self discovery.

“I think it was a stepping stone to a lot more things to come,” he said. “I was being honest with myself and taking the risk, now I understand myself a little better and these are the things I want to do with my life.”

Johanne Wagner found out Chung was the donor just weeks after Binh’s surgery when someone anonymously sent her a message online. She kept that to herself.

“It wasn’t my place to tell him and I knew if he wanted to come forward, he’d do it on his own,” Johanne Wagner said.

They began trading Facebook messages — Chung followed the girls’ remarkable progress through the frequent updates their mother was posting on social media.

Then Chung asked to meet the couple for coffee and just before they met Johanne Wagner told Chung they knew he was the donor.

Chung said he visits nearly every day, often staying for dinner and hanging out with the entire clan — the Wagners have seven other children.

He said he has a special bond with the girls.

“Whenever I go through the door, they charge at me and hang on my legs,” he said. “It is a stress reliever to be with them.”

Liam Casey, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Ontario liver donor inspired to help impoverished children in Vietnam

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