Inline National Team Veteran in His 40s Gives New Life to 3 Brain-Dead Organ Recipients Before Passing Away

Former Inline Skating National Team Athlete Kim Dae-cheol
Donated Liver and Both Kidneys to Three People Before Passing Away

A former national inline skating athlete who fell into a brain-dead state donated organs to three people, giving them new lives before passing away.

On the 5th, the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency announced that on March 15, Mr. Kim Dae-cheol (44) donated his liver and both kidneys to three recipients through brain-dead organ donation at the Catholic University Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital.

Former national inline skating athlete the late Kim Dae-cheol. [Image courtesy of Korea Organ Donation Agency]

Mr. Kim, who had undergone thyroid surgery, was urgently transported to the hospital on February 13 due to complications at the surgical site. During transport, he suffered cardiac arrest and fell into a brain-dead state. As his condition worsened, his family decided to donate his organs, hoping his final journey would have meaningful significance.

Born as the eldest son among one brother and one sister, Mr. Kim was known to be responsible and warm-hearted, taking good care of his younger siblings in place of his busy parents. His family also recalled that he had a bright and cheerful personality, leadership qualities, and always approached and helped those in need first.

Words left by Kim Dae-cheol's wife and children on the coffin after the encoffining ceremony. [Image provided by Korea Organ Donation Agency]

Mr. Kim had a passion and talent for inline skating from a young age and even represented the national team. He also served as a director of the Korea Extreme Sports Federation, working to encourage many people to take an interest in inline skating and sports. His wife, Kim Yeon-hee, said, "I will live without forgetting the love and happy memories we shared for 19 years," and gave her final farewell to the deceased, saying, "You were a reliable and kind father and husband."

Lee Sam-yeol, director of the Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency, expressed gratitude to the donor and the bereaved family for saving three precious lives through life-sharing and stated, "The Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency will continue to strive to save even one more life."

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