A man in his 40s, who had been raising his daughter alone after losing his wife, has given the gift of a new life to six people through brain-dead organ donation.
The Korea Organ Donation Agency (KODA) announced that Park Jong-hee (43) donated his heart, liver, both kidneys, and corneas at Chosun University Hospital on September 4.
On the night of August 23, Park exchanged wellness regards over the phone with his mother, just like any other day.
However, he was found collapsed at his home the next day. Although he underwent surgery for a cerebral hemorrhage, he eventually fell into a brain-dead state.
His bereaved family members conveyed that Park had positive views on organ donation during his lifetime.
When his mother previously expressed her intention to donate her body after death, Park had even supported her decision.
As an only son, Park was sensible from a young age and never caused trouble for his mother, according to family accounts.
While waiting for his mother, who worked late into the night, he would prepare his own meals and help out with household chores.
Having worked in sales for some 20 years after graduation, Park had been raising his only daughter by himself following his wife's passing.
Whenever he saw elderly people in need, he would approach them first to help, and at work, he treated colleagues and customers warmly, treating them like family.
He reportedly loved giving back to people around him so much that if he received a favor once, he would return it three or four times.
His mother, Noh Pan-im, who had to send off her only son first, said, "While my son was hospitalized, I held onto his mobile phone for him, and many calls came in from worried acquaintances. A lot of friends and coworkers also visited the funeral hall."
She added, "Seeing that, I thought to myself, 'He lived a short life, but he lived it well,' and that brought me great comfort."
Bidding her son a final farewell, Noh said, "Jong-hee, it is deeply heartbreaking that you left us so early, but thinking that you left after doing a good deed makes Mom happy, too."
She also said, "Don't worry about Mom, and I hope you spend your time there doing only good things, just as you did while living here."
Noh asked the recipients of her son's organs, "I hope you will live long and healthily, even for the life my son was not able to live out."
(Photo: Provided by Korea Organ Donation Agency, Yonhap News)
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