YouTuber Pilseungjoo Passes Away...
Shared His Journey Since 2022
Netizens Mourn: "Thank You for Showing the Power of Positivity"
A YouTuber who shared his battle with Lou Gehrig's disease has passed away at the age of 32.
The family of YouTuber Pilseungjoo (real name Kang Seungjoo) announced his passing on September 26 through social media. The funeral hall has been set up at Hanil Hospital in Dobong-gu, Seoul, with the funeral procession scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on the 27th. The burial site is Anrak Park in Jinju.
Pilseungjoo was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease in 2019. Since 2022, he had been running a YouTube channel, sharing his journey with the illness. In his first video, he said, "I'm in my 20s, but I am a Lou Gehrig's disease patient. Since today is the healthiest day I have, I started YouTube to document daily life with my family and friends."
He continued to post videos with hopeful messages, such as "My Own Weapon to Fight Lou Gehrig's Disease," "I Just Want to Have a Meal with My Family," and "It's Okay, Seungjoo, Everything Will Be Okay." The channel, which has about 70,000 subscribers, saw its last upload in May, a video titled "Apple Juice Is Just an Excuse," produced by a friend.
Upon hearing the news, online users expressed their condolences, saying, "When I think of Seungjoo, I remember his smiling face with family and friends more than his pain," "Thank you for showing us the power of positivity. I hope you can now rest peacefully," and "It's heartbreaking that he passed away at such a young age."
The official name of Lou Gehrig's disease is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It is a degenerative neurological disorder in which motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord are gradually damaged, leading to muscle weakness and restricted movement. The disease is named after a famous American baseball player who died two years after being diagnosed with the condition in the 1930s.
The cause of Lou Gehrig's disease is still not clearly understood, and there is currently no fundamental cure. While medication can slow the progression, a complete cure is not possible.
Meanwhile, in March this year, Seungil Hope Care Hospital, the first specialized care facility for Lou Gehrig's disease in Korea, officially opened in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.
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