'When we meet again, Mommy will run to hug you': 5-year-old Yuna gives three people a new life through organ donation

A 5-year-old girl has given three people a second chance at life through brain-dead organ donation.

The Korea Organ and Tissue Donation Agency said Thursday that Oh Yu-na donated her heart, lungs, both kidneys and vascular tissue to three recipients at Samsung Medical Center on May 14.

Yu-na was born in July 2020 in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, arriving early after about 25 weeks in the womb.

At birth, she underwent shunt surgery to drain cerebrospinal fluid and regulate brain pressure due to hydrocephalus caused by a cerebral hemorrhage.

She grew up largely without serious illness, but in early May she suddenly developed headaches and low energy. Her condition worsened despite medical treatment.

Yu-na underwent surgery but never regained consciousness and was declared brain-dead. After much deliberation, her parents decided to donate her organs.

Her mother, Shim Ji-young, had been interested in organ donation since her college years and had told her family she wished to donate her own organs if anything were to happen to her.

"It was hard to make the decision readily when it came to my daughter, whom I love more than my own life," Shim said. "But I wanted to leave Yuna in this world in this way. I hoped that others could live longer because of her."

Born one minute before her twin brother Si-heon, Yu-na was known as a caring and dependable older sister who looked out for him. She was particularly affectionate, often hugging her parents and expressing her love openly.

"My precious one — you will always be our firstborn, our beloved daughter Yu-na, and we will never forget you," Shim said. "When we meet again someday, Mommy will run to you and hold you tight, and give you all the love we never got to finish. I love you."