S'pore man, 27, saved 3 lives by donating organs, remembered 1 year after passing

One year after the sudden death of her beloved son, a mother in Singapore received an unexpected call from the National Organ Transplant Unit. They wished to express gratitude on behalf of the three individuals whose lives had been saved by her son's organ donation. Nathaniel Tan, a 27-year-old man, passed away on August 12, 2025, due to a rare brain condition.

He selflessly donated his kidneys, liver, and iliac arteries. Among the gifts sent to his mother, Queenie Tan, were a thank-you note specifying the recipients, a medallion, a jar of origami stars, and a certificate of appreciation.

The recipients of Nathaniel's donated organs include a 64-year-old man with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma, a 52-year-old woman with chronic glomerulonephritis, and a 35-year-old woman with the same condition. Additionally, his donated iliac vessels are stored in a bank and can aid liver patients during surgeries.

Queenie Tan, surprised to learn about the impact her son's act of kindness had on others, stated that he was saving lives even though she was unaware of who would receive his organs. She expressed that a part of Nathaniel still lives on, as she received the tokens and realized his continued presence in the lives of those he saved.

Upon learning about the recipients, Queenie Tan visited Nathaniel's final resting place at Woodlands Memorial on August 10 to present them with the tokens. She also took out 27 stars from the jar to represent his age at the time of his passing. A year after her son's passing, Tan still feels his presence everywhere she goes, from students wearing his alma mater's uniform to church activities.

While she misses him during family dinners, the letter and tokens of appreciation serve as a timely reminder of the significant impact Nathaniel had on others. Tan vowed to live every day meaningfully until she meets him again.