Harrowing Story: At 17, He Sold a Kidney to buy iPhone; Today, He Is Permanently Disabled
Harrowing Story: At 17, He Sold a Kidney to buy iPhone; Today, He Is Permanently Disabled
Chinese man’s life-altering decision to buy iPhone 4 and iPad 2 highlights the dangers of organ trafficking
A cautionary tale is making waves on social media after a young Chinese man shared how selling one of his kidneys at 17 for 20,000 yuan (approx. Rs. 2.5 lakh) to buy an iPhone 4 and iPad 2 left him permanently disabled. Wang Shangkun’s story serves as a stark warning against the lure of quick money and material desires.
In 2011, coming from a poor family, Wang was contacted by an organ trafficker through an online chat. The trafficker promised easy money in exchange for one kidney. Believing he could manage with just one, Wang traveled to a small town in Hunan Province for the surgery. Conducted in an unsafe hospital with no proper post-operative care, the procedure immediately put his health at risk.
Initially elated with his new Apple gadgets, Wang’s happiness was short-lived. Within months, his remaining kidney became severely infected due to unhygienic surgical conditions. Tests later revealed that his kidney function had dropped to just 25%.
Now 31, Wang is fully disabled and depends on dialysis for survival. His story has reignited concerns over the growing temptation among youth to sell organs for expensive gadgets, especially with the launch of devices like the iPhone 17 Pro.
Legal consequences followed: in 2012, nine people connected to the organ trafficking case, including five surgeons, were convicted and jailed. Wang has since dedicated himself to raising awareness about the dangers of illegal organ selling, hoping to prevent others from risking their lives for material gains.
Wang’s experience highlights the harsh reality behind the black-market organ trade and serves as a powerful reminder that no gadget is worth sacrificing one’s health.
