5-Year-Old Girl's Organ Donation Gives New Life to Three

A five-year-old girl, Oh Yu-na, has given the gift of life to three individuals through organ donation after she passed away following a sudden illness. Yu-na, who was born prematurely and had undergone surgery for hydrocephalus as an infant, was declared brain-dead after experiencing severe headaches and a rapid decline in her condition.

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Although it was difficult to make the decision regarding my daughter, whom I love as much as my own life, I thought it would be good if others could live longer because of Yu-na, and I wanted to leave Yu-na in the world in this way.

The organ donation, which took place on May 14th at Samsung Seoul Hospital, allowed Yu-na's heart, lungs, and both kidneys to be transplanted into recipients. Additionally, her vascular tissue was also donated. The Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Center announced the details of her passing and donation on the 9th.

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Loving Yu-na, Mom and Dad were so, so happy because of Yu-na. Thank you, my precious one. We will live forever without forgetting you as our first daughter and lovely daughter Yu-na. When we meet again, I will run and hug you tightly and give you all the love I couldn't give you. I love you.

Yu-na was born as the elder of fraternal twins in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, in July 2020. Despite an early diagnosis of hydrocephalus requiring a shunt surgery, she had been largely healthy. Her parents, who had long supported organ donation, made the difficult decision to donate her organs, wanting to give others a chance to live longer and to feel that a part of Yu-na remained in the world.

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I hope you live a life without regrets while being healthy. I hope you express your love to your loved ones without holding back.

Her mother, Shim Ji-young, described Yu-na as an affectionate child who frequently expressed her love. She recalled cherished memories, from Yu-na's first words to family trips and her love for chocolate. Yu-na's kindergarten teachers remembered her bright smile as something that could instantly lift anyone's spirits. Her parents expressed their profound gratitude for the happiness Yu-na brought into their lives and conveyed their love to her, promising to remember her always as their firstborn and beloved daughter.

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Although her life was short, the spark of life that Oh Yu-na left in the world is greater and more beautiful than anything else. We are grateful to the bereaved family for making such a noble decision for others, and we will engrave Yu-na's noble love deeply in our hearts.