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Elementary school student saves eight lives through organ donation

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Choi Dong-won, a nine-year-old elementary school student, passed awawy Tuesday after a severe head injury. / Courtesy of Korea Organ Donation Agency
Choi Dong-won, a nine-year-old elementary school student, passed awawy Tuesday after a severe head injury. / Courtesy of Korea Organ Donation Agency

By Kim Jae-heun

Choi Dong-won, a nine-year-old elementary school student, passed away Tuesday after a severe head injury sustained three days prior left him brain-dead.

His mother decided to donate Choi's heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and corneas saying that although her son cannot survive, his organs can save several others.

Choi's mother recalled her son as having a good personality, with strong social and leadership skills.

He had a passion for gymnastics, due in part to the influence of his older brother, and when asked about his dreams for the future, Choi said he wanted to become a designer, psychologist or computer programmer.

He also had a charitable spirit. After seeing a commercial advertising a charitable organization called "Good Neighbors," Choi told his mother that he wanted to use his allowance to help other young children.

"If others can live with my son's organs, he will die but he will not vanish with death. I don't know who will receive his organs but I hope they live happily and healthily," Choi's mother said.

She further promised they will meet again and hope he stays safe and healthy until then.

The Head of Korea Organ Donation Agency Cho Won-hyun said he feels regret for such sad news of Choi's death but gratitude for the donation. He thanked Choi's parents for making the difficult decision to donate their child's organs and hoped that those who received new lives with Choi's help will make his dreams come true.


Kim Jae-heun jhkim@koreatimes.co.kr


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