A former village bus driver who had undergone dialysis for more than 10 years died and donated human tissues, giving hope of a new life to about 100 people.
According to Korea Organ Donation Agency (KODA) on the 31st, Choi Yong-jin, 56, donated human tissues including bone, fascia, heart valves, blood vessels, and pericardium after dying on Jul. 9 at Wonkwang University Sanbon Hospital in Gunpo, Gyeonggi.
While one organ donor can donate to as many as nine people, a single human tissue donation can help the recovery of up to about 100 people with functional impairments.
Born the youngest of three siblings, Choi suffered a severe injury to one leg in a traffic accident in his 20s and had difficulty walking. He drove a village bus and worked in used cars to make a living until he began dialysis in his early 40s.
Choi had registered as a prospective organ donor during his lifetime and had expressed his intention to donate to his family. He reportedly handed his donor registration card to his nephew two years ago and asked that he be allowed to donate if anything happened.
Even while receiving dialysis for more than 10 years, Choi continued to socialize with people around him. When his family worried about his health, he instead reassured them, saying, "I'm living happily, so don't worry."