A Generous College Student and a Father in His 40s Leave, Giving New Life to 9 People

"Son Who Loved to Give... Would Have Agreed to Organ Donation"
"Wishing Him Happiness in a Better Place After Giving New Life"

At Chonnam National University, a college student and a man in his 40s who were declared brain dead both gave the gift of new life to a total of nine people through organ donation before passing away.

A university student and a man in his 40s who were declared brain dead at Jeonnam National University Hospital gave new life to nine people through organ donation before passing away. The photo shows Kang Jin-sik (left) and Kim Kyung-mo (right), who donated their organs and peacefully passed away. [Image source=Jeonnam National University Hospital·Korea Organ Donation Agency]

On the 15th, the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency and Chonnam National University Hospital reported that Kang Jin-sik (19) fell while riding an electric scooter on the 19th of last month and was treated in the emergency room of Chonnam National University Hospital for traumatic subdural hemorrhage, but was declared brain dead the next day. With the consent of his family, he donated his heart, both kidneys, liver, and lungs to five patients.

Kang was a first-year student in the Fire Administration Department at Honam University, and his dream was to become a firefighter after graduation. Born as the second child among three brothers and one sister, Kang had many friends and juniors who followed him closely, as he took good care of those around him with the money he earned from part-time jobs at convenience stores and PC rooms. Kang’s father said, "Since my son always liked to give to others, we thought he would have agreed to organ donation, which saves lives, so the whole family consented," adding, "I hope all the recipients live healthy lives." Kang’s older brother said, "Jinsik, you are the most handsome angel in a world I will never see again in my lifetime. So I believe you thought positively about saving others through organ donation," and gave his final farewell, saying, "We always love you, and there are so many people who remember you, so please keep showing your smiling face. I love you."

On the 17th of last month, Kim Kyung-mo (43), a family man, was taken to the emergency room of Chonnam National University Hospital after not waking up despite being roused from sleep, and was eventually declared brain dead due to intracerebral hemorrhage. Kim donated his liver, kidneys, heart, and lungs to four recipients. During his lifetime, Kim lived with his 8-year-old son and mother, worked as a delivery driver on weekdays, and spent weekends attending church with his mother, being a diligent and caring family man. Kim’s sister said, "He was a younger brother who raised his son alone and lived diligently, so it is heartbreaking that he left suddenly," adding, "My nephew knows that 'Dad has gone to heaven.' I hope he lives happily in a good place, having given new life before leaving."