Taipei (CNS) -- Convicted criminal Cheng Chin-wen, when facing his execution, admitted his guilt and repented by donating one of his kidneys to his elder sister at the Far Eastern Memorial Hospital in Banciao City, Taipei County, the hospital announced Monday.
This was the first kidney donation in Taiwan made by anyone convicted of a serious crime. The operation started at 7:45 a.m. until extirpation of the organ was achieved at 11：00 a.m. The full transplantation to the recipient was completed at 2:20 p.m., one hour sooner than expected.
Cheng's remaining kidney is functioning well and he will be recuperating for another five to seven days. The donee, his sister, is actually at higher risk, and requires at least 10 to 14 days of hospital care.
The hospital, the Taiwan authority and the public were all moved by his donation and public confession, however it won't change the verdict. Seven years ago, Cheng and a complice strangled two of his creditors and buried them along the seacoast. He was sentenced to death by Taiwan's highest court in June.
