A Young Man in His Twenties Who Lost His Sight at Age Two Helped People with Disabilities
Donated Heart and Both Kidneys Through Brain Death Organ Donation
A young man in his twenties, who lost his eyesight at the age of two but always brought happiness to those around him with his bright demeanor, saved three lives before passing away at a young age.
On July 17, the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency announced that on May 16, at the Catholic University Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, Lee Dongjin (28) donated his heart and both kidneys to three recipients while in a brain-dead state before passing away.
Lee Dongjin (28), who saved three lives through brain-dead organ donation. Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency
On May 8, which was Parents' Day, Lee had dinner with his father and went to sleep, but never regained consciousness. He was urgently transferred to the hospital and received treatment for a week, but ultimately fell into a brain-dead state. With his family's consent, organ donation of his heart and both kidneys was carried out.
His family said they wanted Lee to do something good at the end of his life and decided to donate his organs, hoping that he could save other lives and continue to live on through them.
Born as an only son in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, Lee was diagnosed with eye cancer at nine months old and underwent four years of chemotherapy. During this process, he lost his eyesight at the age of two and had to spend much of his time in hospitals.
When Lee was in the second year of middle school, his mother passed away due to heart valve surgery, and his father, who was also visually impaired, raised him alone. Despite these difficult circumstances, Lee graduated from university with a degree in social welfare, worked as a social worker, and also worked as a massage therapist with his father.
He especially found fulfillment in helping people with disabilities, who had difficulty finding employment, secure jobs as a social worker. Despite the many inconveniences of losing his eyesight at a young age, Lee always smiled and had a bright personality, bringing happiness to those around him with the support of his family, according to his bereaved family.
His father, Lee Yuseong, gave a tearful farewell to his son who left first, saying, "Dongjin, there were both hard and joyful times until now, but now be at peace and have fun with your mother in heaven. Don't be in pain anymore. Live happily. I love you, my son."
Lee Samyeol, director of the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency, stated, "We are deeply grateful to donor Lee Dongjin and his bereaved family for their warm-hearted act of sharing life. I believe that such miraculous acts of saving someone's life will become a force that makes our society healthier and brighter."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
