This photo released by the Korea Organ Donation Agency on Wednesday shows liver donor Ahn Myung-ok. By Jung Min-ho A woman donated part of her liver, saving the life of a stranger before passing away herself, according to the Korea Organ Donation Agency (KODA) on Wednesday. The organization said Ahn Myung-ok, 70, passed away at a hospital in Seoul on Oct.
30 after donating part of her liver and intestine as she expressed her wish to donate her organs in a registration form submitted in 2021. Ahn’s act of compassion just before her death saved one life, the KODA said, without disclosing details about the organ recipient. She was diagnosed with brain death on Oct.
13 after passing out for some unknown reason at home on July 1. With her condition deteriorating, her family members decided to donate her organs. Ahn was a dedicated and compassionate person who always put other people before herself, and she especially loved animals, her family said.
While raising her children, she worked as a seamstress when she was younger and as a cleaning lady in recent years, they said. “People say everyone was struggling in her time [when Korea was poor], but she really tried her best to make ends meet while loving and caring for her family. This deeply saddens me.
I wish I had more time with her. I lived my life for her and I can’t stop thinking of her. Mother, I love you, and thank you so much,” Song Jin-yong, her son, said in a message shared by the KODA.
Lee Sam-youl, KODA director.