Woman in Her 50s With Intellectual Disability Saves Five Lives Through Organ Donation

Despite Intellectual Disability, Park Youngbun Helped Others with Greater Challenges
Donated Liver, Both Kidneys, and Eyes Through Brain Death Organ Donation

Despite having a level 2 intellectual disability, a woman in her 50s who always helped friends with more severe disabilities and never lost her smile, saved five lives at the end of her own.

On July 21, the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency announced that Park Youngbun (58) passed away in a brain-dead state at Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital on July 2, after donating her liver, both kidneys, and both eyes to five recipients.

Park Youngbun (58), who saved five lives through brain-dead organ donation. Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency

On June 30, Park suddenly collapsed while talking at a welfare center for the disabled and was transported to the hospital, but never regained consciousness and was ultimately declared brain-dead. Her family decided to proceed with organ donation, hoping that Park, who had always lived kindly, would continue to live on in others even at the very end of her life.

Born in Seoul as the fifth of two sons and five daughters, Park had an intellectual disability since childhood, but was known for her bright personality and love of socializing. The director (a social worker) of the welfare center Park attended said, "Although Youngbun had a level 2 intellectual disability, she communicated well and was a caring person who helped other friends struggling with activities. She gave everything she had, so I hope she is happy in heaven."

Park's older sister, Park Jungmin, said, "Youngbun, I can't believe I will never see your bright face again, always bringing smiles like warm sunshine. I hope in your next life you can live somewhere you can do everything you want," expressing her farewell.

Lee Samyeol, president of the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency, said, "We are deeply grateful to donor Park Youngbun and her bereaved family for their noble sharing of life. I believe that such miraculous acts will be a source of warmth and light for our society."