Ayaka Kandatsu, who was suffering from a rare intestinal disorder, had transplant surgery on five organs -- stomach, pancreas, liver and small and large intestines -- Dec. 17 at the University of Miami's Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Her parents took her to the United States because Japanese law prohibits the transplant of organs from people under 15, which means children like Kandatsu cannot receive transplants in Japan.

At her parents' request, the girl's unaffected organs will be donated for transplant.

The Japan Times Weekly: May 27, 2006
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