"I saved every penny by skipping meals. Please use this for people like me who struggle with hospital bills."
An octogenarian in Busan has donated 8 million won ($5,700) to a hospital after spending a decade saving on food expenses, adding to the 5 million won in financial aid she had previously received. The story of how a nun's persuasion led to a decade-long connection culminating in this act of gratitude has sparked quiet resonance.
According to Yonhap News on the 20th, Jeon, a woman in her 80s living in Yongho-dong, Nam-gu, Busan, recently delivered 8 million won to Busan St. Mary's Hospital along with a letter containing the above message.
Jeon underwent knee surgery at the hospital in January 2017. At the time, she was in critical condition with diabetes levels exceeding 500, compounded by hypertension and hyperlipidemia, but had planned to forgo surgery because she could not afford treatment. After a nun from the hospital's social services team learned of her situation and persuaded her through two to three phone calls daily, Jeon visited the hospital and received 5 million won in donations through the hospital's benefactor network to continue treatment. She subsequently recovered her health after personally visiting the administrative welfare center and district office to secure basic livelihood benefits and Type 1 medical aid.
Jeon, a Buddhist, said, "I was deeply moved by the unconditional help extended by the nun and the hospital's consideration." During treatment, the nun told her, "When you have the means later, help those in need." After regaining her health, Jeon saved 3 million won over 10 years by cutting food expenses and combined it with the 5 million won she had received to donate 8 million won to the hospital. A hospital official said, "The elder's act of gratitude makes us reflect on the meaning of sharing."
Busan St. Mary's Hospital, a Catholic medical institution under the Busan Diocese of the Catholic Church, has long conducted social outreach programs for low-income vulnerable groups. The hospital has been actively working to address regional healthcare blind spots, including signing a business agreement with Nam-gu Office last year for home medical aid services.
Type 1 medical aid, which Jeon received, applies to basic livelihood recipients without work capability, such as the elderly and disabled, with the government covering most outpatient and hospitalization costs. Jeon's case is drawing attention as it demonstrates a virtuous cycle where public safety nets and private medical institutions' social programs combined to support a patient in crisis, who then returned goodwill to the community.
Similar acts of grateful giving have followed. In November last year, a woman in her 80s in Jung-gu, Busan, who had received various welfare support, donated 2 million won to a community center, saying, "Please use this for those in greater need." In May 2023, a man in his 80s in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, who had been living on basic livelihood benefits, donated 700,000 won in gratitude for emergency living expense support received during his wife's illness.
