Former national inline skater saves three with organ donations

A former member of the national inline skating team saved three lives through organ donations after he was declared brain-dead following a heart attack.

A photo of Kim Dae-cheol, a former national roller skater who saved three lives through organ donations. [KOREA ORGAN DONATION AGENCY]

A former member of the national inline skating team saved three lives through organ donations after he was declared brain-dead following a heart attack.

The Korea Organ Donation Agency said Wednesday that Kim Dae-cheol, aged 44, donated his liver as well as his right and left kidneys to three individuals at Eunpyeong St. Mary’s Hospital in Eunpyeong District, northern Seoul, on March 15.

Kim experienced cardiac arrest on Feb. 13 while being rushed to a hospital after experiencing side effects from his thyroid surgery. He was declared brain dead.

As his condition worsened, his family consented to donating his organs, hoping people would remember him for his good deeds of saving others.

Kim was a responsible and warm-hearted person, his family said.

He took care of his sister for his busy parents and always tried to help people in need.

The former skater also served as the director of the Korea Extreme Sports Federation, hoping to promote roller skating and sports to a wider audience.

Kim’s wife, Kim Yeon-hee, expressed her love and gratitude for the 19 years of happy memories they shared.

“You were the best father and husband,” she said in her farewell.

BY KIM EUN-BIN, WOO JI-WON [woo.jiwon@joongang.co.kr]