Man in 40s Raising Daughter Alone After Wife's Death Saves 6 Lives Before Passing

A man in his 40s who had been raising his daughter alone after being bereaved of his wife has gifted new lives 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 regards with his mother over the phone 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 ultimately fell into a brain-dead state.

His bereaved family conveyed that Park had a positive view on organ donation during his lifetime.

When his mother previously expressed her intention to donate her body after death, Park even supported her decision.

As an only son, Park was sensible from a young age and never gave his mother any trouble.

He would prepare his own meals and help with household chores while waiting for his mother, who worked late into the night.

Having worked in sales for some 20 years after graduation, Park had been raising his only daughter by himself after his wife's passing.

Whenever he saw elderly people in need of help, he would approach them first to assist, and at work, he treated colleagues and customers warmly, getting along with them like family.

He loved giving back to those around him, often returning a favor three or four times over after receiving kindness just once.


Roh Pan-im, the mother who had to send off her only son first, said, "While my son was hospitalized, I held onto his mobile phone, and many calls came in from worried acquaintances. A lot of friends and coworkers also visited the funeral wake."

She continued, "Seeing that, I thought to myself, 'Though he lived a short life, he lived it well,' and it became a great comfort to me."

Bidding her final farewell to her son, Roh said, "Jong-hee, it is deeply heartbreaking that you had to leave us so early, but thinking that you left after doing a good deed makes Mom happy, too."

She added, "Don't worry about Mom, and I hope you spend your time up there doing only good things just as you did while living here."

Roh also asked the recipients of her son's organs, "I hope you live long and healthy lives, even fulfilling the life that my son did not get to live out."

(Photo: Provided by Korea Organ Donation Agency, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.