Man in His 50s Overcame Disability to Drive Buses, Gives New Life to 100 Through Tissue Donation

Yongjin Choi Donates Bones, Fascia, Heart Valves, Blood Vessels, and More
Nephew: "My uncle tried not to lose his smile even in difficult times"

A man in his 50s, who had been receiving dialysis treatment for over 10 years, gave the gift of new life to more than 100 people by donating his human tissues after passing away.

According to the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency on the 31st, Yongjin Choi (age 56) donated his bones, fascia, heart valves, blood vessels, and pericardium at Wonkwang University Sanbon Hospital on July 9. While a single organ donor can help up to 9 people through organ donation, a single tissue donor can benefit up to 100 individuals.

Mr. Choi, after undergoing long-term dialysis, passed away on July 8. During his lifetime, he repeatedly expressed his wish to donate to his family. His nephew, Buwon Choi, shared, "About two years ago, my uncle gave me his donation wish card and asked that, in case something happened, we make sure he could donate. The family decided to honor his wishes."

Donor Yongjin Choi. Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency

Born the youngest of three brothers, Mr. Choi suffered a severe leg injury in a traffic accident in his twenties. Despite difficulties walking, he lived diligently, driving village buses and working in used car businesses until he began dialysis in his early forties. Even in poor health, he enjoyed cooking and sharing meals he made, maintaining close ties with friends and neighbors and leading a positive daily life. When his family worried about his condition, he would reassure them, saying, "I am living happily, so you don’t need to worry."

His nephew remembered him as "a friend-like, kind adult you could always rely on in difficult times." Mr. Choi would try to keep up with trends to relate to his nieces and nephews and created an atmosphere where they felt comfortable sharing concerns they couldn't discuss with their parents.

His nephew Buwon Choi said, "He was not just my uncle but also a friend, a second father, and a trustworthy adult. The time I spent with him still remains vivid in my memory. It hurts even more because he always tried to stay positive without losing his smile despite difficult circumstances. I hope he can spend only good times with our grandmother now," he offered a final farewell.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.