Professor Eun-ae Lee, Family Medicine Specialist
Diagnosed with Sudden Brain Hemorrhage Earlier This Month
Practices Donation of Heart, Lungs, Liver, and Both Kidneys
A doctor in her 30s who devoted herself to caring for sick patients at a university hospital gave new life to five people through organ donation until her final moments and passed away.
Late Professor Lee Eun-ae (center) during her residency. [Photo by Catholic University Seoul St. Mary's Hospital]
On the 7th, the Catholic University Seoul St. Mary's Hospital announced that Eun-ae Lee (34), a family medicine specialist and clinical instructor at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, donated her heart, lungs, liver, and two kidneys to five patients on the 6th.
On the afternoon of the 3rd, while having a meal with friends near Yeouido, Seoul, Ms. Lee experienced a headache and went to the restroom, where she vomited and felt dizzy. Sitting on a chair outside the restroom, she was transported to a nearby emergency room with the help of a passerby, but lost consciousness there and was diagnosed with a brain hemorrhage (subarachnoid hemorrhage).
While receiving treatment in the intensive care unit, Ms. Lee unfortunately became brain dead, and her family decided to proceed with organ donation to honor the wishes of the late doctor.
Ms. Lee was known as the eldest daughter born after seven difficult years of her parents' marriage. She excelled academically, ranking first in her middle and high schools, becoming the first medical student from her alma mater, graduating second in her medical school class, and ranking first nationwide among residents.
Professor Lee’s father said, "I couldn't believe that my beloved eldest daughter, whom I cherished more than anything, ended up like this overnight," adding, "Out of guilt for not being able to protect her, we did not inform anyone except her friends about the funeral news."
He continued, "We clung to a faint hope that she might wake up, but since my daughter, who dedicated her life to saving lives, could fulfill her duty as a doctor until the very end and save patients through organ donation, although it was incredibly painful and difficult to decide, we chose to donate her organs."
Professor Lee’s younger sister tearfully said, "My sister was an excellent medical professional and the motto of my life. Even during the hardships of her medical career, she always listened to our family’s concerns, understood our feelings, and always put family first. It is hard to believe and accept that we have to say goodbye to her like this."
Professor Soon-chul Park (Vascular Transplant Surgery), director of the Organ Transplant Center at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, said, "The noble and meaningful will of the deceased’s family, wishing that their daughter who did her best as a doctor would continue to help patients until the end, was not in vain, and we did our utmost."
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