A Generous 50s Sanitation Worker Who Loved Trot Music Gives New Life to 4 People and Passes Away

A woman in her 50s who steadfastly worked as a sanitation worker despite having a spinal disability gifted new life to four people through brain death organ donation and passed away.

Ms. Kim Yeon-hwa, who gave the gift of new life to four people. [Image provided by Korea Organ Donation Agency]

On the 19th, the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency announced that on December 8th last year, Kim Yeon-hwa (58) donated her heart, liver, and both kidneys to four people at Korea University Ansan Hospital. Kim suddenly collapsed due to cardiac arrest on November 28th last year and received treatment, but ultimately did not regain consciousness and entered a brain death state. Ten months before her collapse, Kim had registered as an organ donor with her family, expressing her wish to do something good by saving others.

Born as the eldest daughter among one son and two daughters in Yangyang, Gangwon Province, Kim sustained a spinal disability from a traffic accident in her childhood. However, she did not give in and worked various jobs such as a supermarket employee and sanitation worker. Despite difficult circumstances, Kim was known to generously extend goodwill to anyone without hesitation.

Ms. Kim Yeon-hwa, who gave the gift of new life to four people. [Image provided by Korea Organ Donation Agency]

At home, she was also a caring mother who always tried and devoted herself to spending a lot of time with her daughter. She especially enjoyed listening to music and liked spending time with her family listening to trot singer Ahn Sung-hoon's songs.

Kim’s daughter, Park Ji-hee, said, "Our mother, who lived for her only daughter, now live happily doing everything you want. Even in heaven, if you are reborn, live your own life there as well. I love you so much. I miss you," delivering her final farewell.

Lee Sam-yeol, director of the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency, expressed gratitude, saying, "We thank the donor who devoted herself to her family and helped neighbors in hardship, and also the bereaved family who shared the noble meaning of life-sharing. We believe the beautiful image of the donor who saved other lives at the end of her life will warmly and brightly illuminate society."