Chinese Teen Sells Kidney for iPhone, Now Survives on Dialysis
Wang Shangkun’s desperate bid for Apple gadgets as a teenager left him permanently disabled
What began as a teenager’s desperate bid to own an iPhone has turned into a lifelong tragedy for Wang Shangkun, a Chinese man who sold one of his kidneys on the black market in 2011.
At just 17, Wang, from Hunan province, could not afford Apple’s then-latest gadgets — the iPhone 4 and iPad 2. Tempted by an online trafficker’s offer, he agreed to sell his kidney in an illegal surgery carried out under unsafe conditions. The operation left him with cash to buy the coveted devices, but also permanent health damage.
Within months, infections set in, and his remaining kidney’s function fell drastically to just 25%. Now 31, Wang survives on daily dialysis, dependent on medical care for the rest of his life.
His case drew global attention at the time, highlighting the dangers of organ trafficking and the extreme measures some youths may take to pursue consumer desires. Wang now speaks about his ordeal, warning others against falling into similar traps.
The story remains a stark reminder of how a momentary decision driven by material aspiration can alter the course of an entire life.
