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A woman whose son had received a heart transplant donated her organs late last month after her death, saving three lives.
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| Kim Choon-hee |
Kim had been brain-dead due to an unexpected accident.
Her donation is drawing more attention because one of her family members was a recipient of an organ transplant.
In March 2018, her son ― a high school student who was battling a rare heart disease ― received a heart transplant, and he has since recovered.
Placed in the totally opposite situation from a year ago, Kim's family decided to donate her organs to those who desperately need them, following her wishes.
According to her family, Kim would say she wanted to donate her organs if there was a chance.
"We experienced the significance of organ donation following the heart transplant for our son. It would be by far better if her donation could give the same experience to others," Kim's husband said, according to the agency.
"In particular, our daughter strongly supported her mother's wishes, which affected my decision."
The Ministry of Health and Welfare sent a wreath in the name of Minister Park Neung-hoo to her funeral.
Before her death, she worked as a telemarketer, and was cheerful and nice to everybody, according to people around her.
"Organ donation from brain death is a life-saving gift to someone, whereas it is a sad thing for the donors' families to bid farewell to their loved ones for good," said Cho Won-hyun, director of the agency.
"In that respect, we fully thank the donors and their families for their tough decision."
