A family from Roi Et donates organs, giving new life to patients who are waiting, alongside the mission to deliver the "178th Heart" to those in need of transplant.
On 21 July 2026 at 3:00 PM, at the Chalermprakiet Chulaporn Building, 1st floor, Roi Et Hospital, a ceremony was held to honor the great sacrifice of an organ donor family who transformed loss into hope for patients awaiting organ transplants.
The ceremony was graced by Dr. Wiboon Techakosol, First Deputy Director of Medical Affairs, along with Mrs. Pawadee Ngenmuen, Vice President of the Roi Et Provincial Red Cross, nursing executives, doctors, nurses, and the Roi Et Red Cross committee, all joining to pay respects and honor the donor family.
The donor was Mr. Natthapong Songkarak, aged 35, who died from a brain hemorrhage and was declared brain dead. Despite the sudden loss, his family made the important decision to donate his heart and kidneys to the Thai Red Cross Organ Donation Center, offering a chance at life to patients awaiting transplants.
During the ceremony, executives presented a wreath, a pin, and a certificate of honor to Mr. Pongpat Songkarak, the donor's younger brother, in recognition of the family's sacrifice and compassion.
Mr. Pongpat expressed that although they lost his brother forever, he believes the organ donation is a great merit and allows his brother to live on through the recipients. He urged all organ recipients to use this opportunity to do good and live meaningful lives.
With the family's consent, Roi Et Hospital coordinated organ retrieval with a surgical team from Siriraj Hospital, who traveled to perform the procedure and transfer the organs to the Thai Red Cross for transplantation to patients hoping for a new chance at life.
At the same time, Police Lieutenant Colonel Warut Chuelinfa, traffic inspector at Mueang Roi Et Police Station, along with traffic police officers, undertook the critical mission "178th Heart" by managing traffic and opening routes to expedite the medical team’s transport of organs from Roi Et Hospital, ensuring the fastest and safest delivery, as every minute is vital to transplant success and patient survival.
This mission reflects the cooperation of all sectors—doctors, nurses, Red Cross staff, hospital personnel, and traffic police—working together as a "bridge of life" to deliver hearts and organs to patients awaiting hope.
Organ donation, whether heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, or eyes, greatly extends and improves the quality of life for recipients, representing one of life's greatest final acts of generosity.
"The passing of one person may be the beginning of new life for many others," and the mission of delivering the "178th Heart" stands as proof of the greatest human sacrifice, collaboration, and the profound value of giving.