A couple in Changsha, Hunan province, donated the corneas and body of their beloved baby son, who was less than 12 months old when he died of illness on Jan 15, hoping to give the gift of life to others and help scientific research.

Even more heartbreaking for the couple, they lost all their triplets in a year, making this the second time the father, surnamed Liu, signed such a donation consent document, CCTV News reported.

Liu and his wife welcomed the triplets in February 2022. However, the babies were all diagnosed with multiple diseases including congenital nephrotic syndrome, microcephaly and inherited metabolic disorders after three months. The couple were plunged into deep sorrow after learning there currently is no effective treatment.

They had to say goodbye to the youngest triplet in July last year. A relative mentioned to them that they can donate the baby's body to help medics learn more about the diseases and help other babies with the same conditions. The whole family was devasted by grief, trying to comprehend what has happened. So, they failed to get in touch with an organ procurement organization in time for the body donation.

The family didn't give up on seeking treatment for the other babies but they found themselves facing misfortune again. The eldest triplet's condition worsened and he left the world in December. The bereaved family decided to donate the corneas and body of the boy.

"Both the baby and I have been given care and attention by the medics. The donation was made to show our gratitude. I also hope the corneas can help other children to see the world and the body will aid medical research", Liu said during an interview. The family made the same decision after bidding farewell to the last child.

The corneas from the eldest triplet have helped a two-year old patient see the world, and those from the second eldest have helped two patients regain vision, according to media reports.

The babies' bodies were donated to the Xiangya School of Medicine of Central South University in Changsha. A professor from the school said the babies were suffering from a rare autosomal recessive disease and the bodies are of great significance to relevant medical research.