Do you remember the news that hit the country in 2011? A 17-year-old high school student sold one of his kidneys to buy an iPhone and an iPad.
The high school student's name is Wang Gang, and he is from Anlu City, Hubei Province. His story has aroused widespread attention and discussion in the society, and has also made Apple's mobile phone known as "kidney machine".
12 years have passed, how is Wang Gang now? Did he regret his decision? Did he enjoy the happy life he was expecting? Let's review his story together.
In 2011, Apple's mobile phone set off a boom in China, and many young people wanted to own an iPhone 4, a smartphone with a full touch screen, ultra-clear camera, and powerful games.
However, the price of this mobile phone is not cheap, more than 4,000 yuan. For many ordinary families, this is a big expense.
Wang Gang is the child of an ordinary family, he was born in Hubei and is the only child in the family. His parents are both from rural areas, and they earn 20,000 yuan a year after working hard.
They had high hopes for Wang Gang, hoping that he could study hard, be admitted to university, and get ahead. Wang Gang is also very motivated and was admitted to one of the top local high schools.
However, in high school life, Wang Gang gradually developed vanity. He saw that some of his classmates were superior, bought an iPhone 4 to show off, and became the focus of the class.
He was envious and jealous, and wanted to own an iPhone 4 to prove himself, and he felt that Apple phones and iPads were the coolest and most fashionable electronics, symbols of his identity and taste.
So, he asked his parents to buy an iPhone 4. However, his parents felt that this was too extravagant, and not only refused his request, but also criticized him for being unfilial and insensible. Wang Gang was very disappointed and angry. He decided to earn money on his own to buy a mobile phone.
At first, he thought of going to work. However, my studies in high school were very intense, and I couldn't earn much money from part-time work. He worked for a long time to save a few hundred yuan. It's still far from 4,000 yuan.
At this time, he saw an advertisement on the Internet: as long as he sells one of his kidneys, he can get more than 20,000 yuan. Wang Gang was moved. He thought: People already have two kidneys, so it shouldn't be a problem to sell one, right? And more than 20,000 yuan is enough to buy a mobile phone.
So he dialed the number on the advertisement. The person on the other end of the phone claimed to be a hospital worker, said that he sold the kidney to save the patient and ensure that the operation was safe, and also said that he had donated the kidney and had no impact.
Wang Gang was persuaded and went to Chenzhou according to the address given by the other party.
However, what Wang Gang did not know was that the other party was a black intermediary, and his boss was a gambler, because of the huge debt of gambling, he took the risk and did the business of buying and selling human organs.
What Wang Gang didn't know was how much damage the loss of a kidney caused to the body.
When one kidney is missing, the other kidney will bear more load, and the remaining kidney will be prone to tiredness. When tired kidneys encounter external damage, it is easy to have symptoms such as decreased kidney function, proteinuria, high blood pressure, and even kidney failure, which can progress to uremia in severe cases.
In order to save money, the other party directly operated on Wang Gang in a simple and unclean and unhygienic place, and then Wang Gang got paid 23,000 yuan as he wished, but the other party sold his kidney for a full 260,000 yuan.
After getting the money, Wang Gang was satisfied to buy an iPhone and an iPad, and showed off triumphantly in front of his classmates, who also cast envious eyes.
Wang Gang happily felt that this kidney was really worth selling!
However, it didn't take long for Wang Gang's body to start feeling uncomfortable, listless every day, just wanting to sleep, and the wound hurt like a needle.
He began to panic, and quickly confessed to his parents about selling his kidneys, and his parents were frightened and heartache, and immediately took Wang Gang to the hospital for examination, only to find that his wound was infected, and he might die later.
Wang Gang's incident was soon exposed by the media, causing strong attention and condemnation from society. The police also intervened in the investigation and arrested the agents and doctors involved.
In order to treat their son, Wang Gang's parents spent all their savings and owed a debt.
They sued the intermediary and the hospital for compensation. After a lengthy lawsuit, they were eventually awarded $1.47 million in damages.
But this money no longer means anything to Wang Gang. His health deteriorated and he needed regular dialysis. His quality of life has been greatly reduced, and he cannot work, study, and fall in love like a normal person.
His psychology was also severely traumatized, with self-blame, regret, low self-esteem, and depression. He once said: "I was so stupid to sell my most precious things for a phone and a tablet." I really want to go back in time and make a new choice. ”
Wang Gang's affairs also attracted the attention of Apple, and they expressed sympathy and concern for Wang Gang. Apple CEO Tim Cook personally wrote a letter to Wang Gang, offering him free medical care and organ transplants. Wang Gang was so surprised and grateful that he accepted Apple's help.
Under Apple's arrangement, Wang Gang flew to the United States for a successful kidney transplant. His physical condition improved a lot and he started a new life.
He continued his studies in the United States, studying computer science and software development. He also made many new friends, including an American girl, who fell in love and got married.
Wang Gang said: "I am lucky to have the help of Apple and Tim Cook. They gave me a second life and a new chance. I will not waste my time and health anymore, I will study hard and be a useful person. I would also like to thank my parents, who have always supported me and never given up on me. ”
Wang Gang's incident tells us not to make decisions that endanger your body and life for the sake of momentary vanity, but to cherish your health and happiness.
Do not blindly pursue material, have your own judgment and rationality, and do not be swayed by external temptation and public opinion.
It is necessary to establish correct values, realize that the value of people does not lie in what they have, but in what they do, and use their own efforts and talents to win the respect and recognition of others.