"I Was So Happy You Were My Mom": Woman in Her 50s Who Collapsed During Trip Saves Three Lives

A woman in her 50s who suddenly collapsed with breathing difficulties while traveling in Vietnam with her daughter has saved the lives of three people through organ donation.

According to the Korea Organ Donation Agency (KODA), on September 18, 55-year-old Koo Jin-hee donated her liver and kidneys to three patients at Kosin University Gospel Hospital before passing away.

While traveling in Vietnam with her daughter on September 12, Koo suddenly showed symptoms of breathing difficulties and collapsed due to a cerebral hemorrhage.

She was rushed to a local hospital, but as she did not regain consciousness, she was transferred to a hospital in South Korea. However, she ultimately failed to recover and was pronounced brain dead.

Following the deceased person's philosophy of "helping others and exerting a positive influence," her bereaved family decided to consent to organ donation.

Born in Seoul, Koo was diagnosed with idiopathic thrombocytopenia during her pregnancy in 2001.

As her condition did not respond well to treatment, she had to endure repeated hospitalizations for 25 years.

Despite her illness, Koo always thought of her family and people around her before herself.

After moving to Busan in 2015 following her husband's workplace relocation, she participated in a faith group at her husband's company, supporting employees and their families when they faced difficult times.

When her health condition stabilized, traveling with her family was one of Koo's greatest joys. Her husband, an airline pilot, frequently arranged opportunities for them to travel together, watching his wife forget her pain and enjoy herself during their trips.

Along with traveling, what filled Koo's life was her two daughters.

Koo was filled with great joy when she held her first grandchild, born to her eldest daughter JISOO last August, and she had been preparing for the wedding of her younger daughter, Kim Ji-won, scheduled for next year.

The two daughters expressed that they deeply feel the emptiness left by their mother, who will no longer be able to watch her grandchild grow or attend the wedding.

[JISOO / Eldest daughter of Koo Jin-hee: Mom had been waiting so much for the grandchild and loved babies so much, so it would have been wonderful if we could have spent a little more time together.]

Her husband, Mr. Kim, shared his final farewell to his wife, saying, "Honey, it has been 33 years since I met you, and I will cherish all the happy times we shared. Now, rest in peace in a place free from pain, without any worries."

Her eldest daughter JISOO also vowed, "Moving forward, I will live by thinking 'what would Mom have done' and carry on her values." Her younger daughter Kim Ji-won expressed her profound affection, saying, "I was so happy that you were my mom."

[Kim Ji-won / Younger daughter of Koo Jin-hee: You must have suffered a lot because of your difficult illness, but thank you so much for raising us so well. We will also build lovely families, live diligently, and eventually join you later.]

(Photo courtesy of Korea Organ Donation Agency)

Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Lee Da-in | Design by Lee Jung-ju | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.