Gwangyang Steelworks Deputy Manager Park Hyun-su Donates Hematopoietic Stem Cells for Leukemia Patient

12 Years Ago Pledged Hematopoietic Stem Cell Donation, Donated This April to Leukemia Patient with Matching Genotype

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Assistant Manager Park Hyun-su, who works at POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks, received a call last February from the Korea Marrow Donor Program saying, "We have found a patient whose human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotype matches 100%." He recalled a memory from 12 years ago.

Assistant Manager Park Hyun-su pledged to donate hematopoietic stem cells in 2009 after hearing that "healthy hematopoietic stem cell transplants can cure blood cancer patients" while donating blood. After 12 years, he had the opportunity to donate hematopoietic stem cells.

The success of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation depends on the match of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) types between the patient and the donor, and finding such a person is like "finding a needle in a desert." According to the Korea Marrow Donor Program, the probability of a match between patient and donor is 5% for parents, 25% for siblings, but only 0.00005% for unrelated individuals, so donors may wait years to decades for a match.

Hematopoietic stem cells (造血母 cells) mean "mother cells" that produce all blood cells such as white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, and are used interchangeably with the term "bone marrow." They are produced in the bone marrow inside bones such as the pelvis, spine, and ribs, and about 1% of bone marrow in adults consists of hematopoietic stem cells. Donors’ hematopoietic stem cells recover to their pre-donation state within 2 to 3 weeks after donation.

To ensure the surgery could be performed under optimal conditions, the company actively supported by adjusting work schedules according to the surgery timetable. Assistant Manager Park Hyun-su traveled by car over four hours from Gwangyang to a hospital in Seoul and participated in the donation over two days. Since the association keeps the recipient’s identity confidential, Park Hyun-su does not know the recipient’s face or name at all.

Park Hyun-su said, “I worried a lot about whether this would affect my family and company. But when I thought about how desperate the hearts of leukemia patients and their families must be, I realized it was not something to hesitate about and found the courage.” He added, “I don’t know their face or name, but I sincerely hope they fully recover and become healthy.”

Meanwhile, Park Hyun-su, who joined Gwangyang Steelworks in 2010, is responsible for operating cranes that move molten steel with impurities removed at the No. 2 Steelmaking Plant. He also consistently participates in volunteer activities and blood donations every month, serving as a role model for many employees.

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