The Wates family with staff at Việt Đức University Hospital at the appreciation ceremony on April 8. Photos courtesy of Việt Đức University Hospital

Thu Vân and Paul Kennedy

The parents of a teenager who died after a motorbike accident on the Hà Giang Loop have returned to Việt Nam for an appreciation ceremony, organised by Việt Đức University Hospital, to thank them for donating their daughter’s organs to save the lives of critically ill patients.

Orla Wates died on April 2 after she fell off a motorbike and was hit by a truck, causing massive internal injuries.

Andy Wates, Orla's father, speaks at the ceremony.

Her parents, Andy and Mic Mak Wates, made the decision to donate her organs to help five Vietnamese patients in desperate need of transplants.

Speaking at the event at Hà Nội’s Việt Đức Hospital, Andy said: “I would like to really say thank you to the doctor and his team for doing such an amazing job for Orla. In this case, it wasn't to be but we know we were lucky enough to get here and see her.”

“As you know, my wife and I were very, very keen in our family, very keen that Orla had lived on in Việt Nam. We were lucky and privileged enough to see the patients today and we just wish them every success in their future.”

Orrla Wates, 19, who died on April 2. Photo courtesy of the Wates family

He added that the decision to donate the organs was something his daughter Orla, who was travelling in Việt Nam before she was due to start university in Durham, UK, would have wanted.

The Wates family at Hà Nội’s Việt Đức University Hospital on April 8.

Andy, who attended the ceremony with Orla’s mother and three siblings, added: “From our perspective, absolutely what we wanted, and I know that's really, really what Orla wanted. So we leave Việt Nam with very sad memories on the one hand but with much hope on the other.”

Dr Dương Đức Hùng, Director of Việt Đức University Hospital speak at the event.

Dr Dương Đức Hùng, Director of Việt Đức University Hospital, said the patients who had received the transplanted organs are all recovering well.

He said: “We fully understand that the passing of your daughter is an immense and heartbreaking loss for your family. Yet, in the midst of such profound grief, you made a remarkably humanitarian decision – one that has given other patients a renewed chance at life.

“We know that making such a decision at a time like this is incredibly difficult. Despite the distance between us, we are connected by shared human values, compassion, and empathy. Your choice is a truly noble one, offering hope to many patients with end-stage organ failure and allowing life to continue in others.

“On behalf of the hospital and the recipients of your daughter’s donated organs, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude. The patients who received these precious gifts have recovered well, and your act of generosity has made a profound difference.

“While your daughter has passed away, a part of her continues to live on in those who have received her organs. We promise that we will always care for and honour these precious gifts, as well as the lives they have saved.”

This is the first time organs have been donated from a foreign citizen to a Vietnamese hospital. With speed of an essence, the hospital needed urgent permission from the Ministry of Health to proceed with the transplants.

Minister of Health Đào Hồng Lan wrote a letter to the family, thanking them for their decision to donate their daughter’s organs.

In it, Minister Lan wrote: “This represents one of the first cases of multi-organ donation from a foreign citizen to Vietnamese hospitals. In particular, it carries special significance, affirming the universal value of humanity while further strengthening the solidarity and mutual trust between the people of Việt Nam and the United Kingdom.

“We sincerely acknowledge, deeply appreciate, and express our heartfelt gratitude for your family’s noble gesture. This profound sacrifice will always be honoured and remembered. Your daughter’s legacy will continue to live on through those who have received her organs and in the hearts of the Vietnamese people.”

Iain Frew, UK Ambassador to Việt Nam.

UK Ambassador Iain Frew added: “I want to thank the hospital for its efforts, its work to support trying to save all them, and for the work of the organ transplant unit in transforming the family's wishes and hopes into the very best for young people whose lives have been changed and saved.

“It's already been said that this is representing a connection between the United Kingdom and Vietnam and the strong relationship between our countries, but it is also a very personal connection between the Waits family and those Vietnamese people whose lives are changed.

“I really hope that this symbolises also an ongoing effort to make the most of organ transplants in Việt Nam and organ donation, which is such an important thing in Việt Nam, in the UK and across the world.”

The circumstances around the crash are still under investigation by police in Hà Giang Province. VNS