A 7-month-old baby boy in Suzhou City became the youngest organ donor in Jiangsu Province after passing away from a congenital affliction last month.

Mrs. Wu gave birth to the baby in June 2021. As the family was reveling in the joy of the new arrival, the child was found to have an injured finger that couldn’t heal properly, so he was admitted to Suzhou City Hospital.

After genetic testing, the baby was confirmed to suffer from epidermolysis bullosa, a kind of rare hereditary disease that can cause fragile, blistering skin. A hug or slight rub can injure the skin, leading to blisters and open wounds.

The infant died on January 27 and his heartbroken parents were determined to donate his organs.

According to the Wuzhong District Red Cross Society, the donated organs will be used for research and the corneas will allow at least three children to be treated for eye disease.

Data shows that 114,000 people in Jiangsu volunteered to register for organ donation in 2021, with 165 donation cases being recorded.