A Mother Who Never Took a Day Off in Sixty Years... Gives New Life to Two People at the End of Her Sudden Passing

A Woman in Her 60s Falls into Brain Death
Saves New Lives by Donating Both Kidneys

A woman in her 60s who suddenly collapsed at home and fell into brain death became a star in the sky after saving the lives of two people through brain death organ donation.

On June 19, the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency announced that on May 22, Ae Lee (age 65) donated both her left and right kidneys through brain death organ donation at Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital, saving two lives before passing away.

Korean American Ae Lee Gave the Gift of New Life to Two People Through Brain Death Organ Donation. Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency

According to the agency, Lee collapsed at home on May 12 and was transported to the hospital by her family, but she never regained consciousness and fell into a state of brain death. The family decided to proceed with organ donation, recalling both Lee's wish to do something good for others at the end of her life and their belief that keeping her alive with no hope of recovery would only prolong her suffering.

The family remembered Lee as a devoted person to her children and other family members. They recalled her as "someone who was always doing something without rest, someone who loved to care for others even in small ways." Her daughter, Jung Jihae, said in her final farewell, "Mom, you left us so suddenly that I only think about how much I miss you and the things I regret. I hope you are healthy and happy in heaven. Don't worry about the family anymore. If we want to live kindly like you, we should also consider organ donation. See you again someday. I love you."

Lee Samyeol, Director of the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency, stated, "We are grateful to Ae Lee and her bereaved family for choosing to share the gift of life to save others," and added, "We hope the warmth of love shared by the donor and her family will spread far and wide."