A man in his 60s who had eagerly awaited the birth of his first grandchild saved four lives through brain-death organ donation before passing away.
According to the Korea Organ Donation Agency on Friday, Song Ki-seop, 67, donated his liver, lung, and both eyes at the Catholic University of Korea's Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital on the 3rd of this month, giving new life to four people. Song also donated human tissue including bone and skin, helping about 100 patients suffering from functional disabilities recover.
Song collapsed last month on the 25th after complaining of sudden dizziness and was taken to a hospital, where he was diagnosed with a cerebral infarction. He underwent surgery but never regained consciousness and fell into brain death. His family said they decided on the donation because they knew well the considerate character of the deceased. His wife, Yoon An-soon, said, "While he was alive, my husband expressed his wish not to receive life-sustaining treatment, and since he always thought of others first, I believed he would be glad if he could continue living within others through organ donation."
According to the bereaved family, Song, the eldest of four siblings who grew up in Seoul, supported his family by driving a freight truck for about 20 years after a period of office work. In recent years, he worked while also taking care of his 90-year-old mother.
Song's daughter and son are preparing to give birth and to marry, respectively, this year. In particular, Song had looked forward to meeting his grandchild, saying he would always carry a photo once the grandchild was born this autumn.
His wife, Yoon, lamented that her husband had departed without meeting his grandchild, offering her final farewell: "Honey, I hope you can now put down your heavy burden and fly freely. Even though you are no longer in this world, someone will live carrying a part of you, so I will take comfort in that as I go on. I love you."
His son, In-gyu, conveyed his longing, saying, "I was happy to be the son of a father who gave the most precious love until his final moment. I was truly proud and grateful. Father, I love you so much."
