"Gift of New Life to 3 People"… 5-Year-Old Girl in Brain Death Donates Organs, Returns to Mother's Side

Jeon Soyul. /Photo by Korea Organ Donation Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] A 5-year-old girl who fell into a brain-dead state after an accident passed away after giving new life to patients through organ donation.

According to the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency on the 2nd, Jeon So-yul (5) donated her heart and both kidneys to three patients at Seoul National University Hospital on the 28th of last month before passing away.

In 2019, Jeon was playing at a kids' cafe when she had an accident and fell into water. Afterward, her brain ceased to function properly, and she had to endure two years of treatment at home.

While struggling with feeding through her nose, Jeon was about to undergo surgery to connect a tube directly to her stomach when she suddenly experienced cardiac arrest and was subsequently declared brain dead.

During Jeon's illness, her mother also passed away from cancer, adding to the family's sorrow.

Her father, Jeon Gi-seop (43), cared for Jeon alone 24 hours a day but was unable to receive national support services for children with severe disabilities. However, Jeon's employer, upon learning of the situation, showed consideration, allowing him to keep his job and care for Jeon.

Regarding the organ donation, Jeon said, "I thought it would be better to donate my heart to save someone rather than just becoming a handful of ashes," adding, "Knowing that the child who received the heart transplant is alive brings me great comfort, as if my child's heart is still alive."

Meanwhile, Jeon's donation saved three lives, and the donation agency expressed gratitude to the bereaved family.