A woman in her 70s who never stopped learning, even late in life, shared new life with five people through organ donation in her final moments.
According to the Korea Organ Donation Agency on Monday, Ham Jung-hee, 71, donated her liver, both kidneys and both eyes at Chonbuk National University Hospital on August 20 last year, giving new life to five people. She also helped restore the functional abilities of about 100 patients through donations of human tissues such as bones and blood vessels.
On August 14 last year, Ham collapsed after complaining of a severe headache while returning home from work. She was immediately taken to a hospital, where she was diagnosed with acute cerebral infarction. She never regained consciousness.
The family said Ham had expressed her wish to donate her organs while she was alive, and they decided to proceed with the donation in keeping with the wishes of the deceased, who had practiced sharing throughout her life.
According to her bereaved family, Ham had been engaged in research and processing of domestic soybeans for about 30 years. Recognized for her expertise in the field, she received a Presidential Citation and was selected as a New Intellectual in Agriculture. Devoted to lifelong learning, she earned a doctorate in health administration in her late 60s.
The family said they hoped, even belatedly as the first anniversary of her passing approaches, that the noble life-sharing of the deceased would be made known to the world.
Ham's son, Park Seung-woo, said, "I hope my mother, for whom every moment of life was nothing but work, can now enjoy complete rest."
Lee Sam-yeoul, president of the Korea Organ Donation Agency, said, "We express our deep gratitude and respect to the deceased, who practiced love through life-sharing until her final moment, and to the bereaved family who beautifully carried on her wishes." He added, "We hope this serves as an opportunity to reflect on the true value of life-sharing."
