"Can't Mom Receive a Donation Too?" Middle School Daughter in Tears as Mother Saves Four Lives Through Organ Donation

Mother of Two Donates Heart, Liver, and Both Kidneys
Gives Hope for Recovery by Donating Human Tissue

A woman in her 40s, a mother of two children, saved four lives through brain death organ donation and gave hope for continued life to over 100 people by also donating human tissues.

According to the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency on December 4, Choi Kyungmi, age 44, donated her heart, liver, and both kidneys at Changwon Gyeongsang National University Hospital on October 22, saving four lives and sharing human tissues such as skin as well.

Choi Kyungmi, who donated organs to four patients before passing away. Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency

On October 14, Choi was found collapsed at home. Her family called emergency services, and she was rushed to the hospital, but she never regained consciousness and was declared brain dead.

Choi often mentioned that she wanted to donate her organs whenever she saw organ donation scenes in dramas and movies. Her family believed that organ donation was her final wish to share life with others, so they decided to proceed with the donation.

Born as the eldest daughter among one son and two daughters in Jinju, Gyeongnam Province, Choi worked as a nursing assistant and raised two children after getting married. She enjoyed walks and drives, and recently began learning flower arranging, preparing to take a flower arrangement certification exam at the end of October.

Her daughter, a first-year middle school student who struggled to accept the loss of her mother, reportedly burst into tears asking, "If someone donated organs to our mom, couldn't she live again? If someone is very sick, can't they get better through a donation?"

Choi's husband, Lim Jigang, delivered a final farewell, saying, "Kyungmi, I miss you so much, and it's so hard to think that I can't see you anymore. Looking at the children you raised with love, I feel I must live better. Please always watch over us from heaven so I can raise them well. Next time, let's live a long and happy life together. I love you."