“Because organ functions decline as time goes by, the prompt consent from the bereaved family members is the most important thing to organ transplant,” said Yim Sung-kyu, public relations official at the Seoul St. Mary's hospital.

“It sometimes takes a few days for the whole process here. However, Freel’s family was well aware of such things and gave consent without hesitation.”

Linda died on Jan. 22. She gave organs including her liver and kidneys, as well as her corneas. The organs were immediately transplanted to two patients with kidney disease and one liver patient. The corneas were given to two different patients. The hospital said the recipients were doing well.

Her skin tissue was stored for patients such as those suffering from burns.

There have been some transplant cases involving other Asian nationalities but this was the first time a Westerner has donated organs in Korea.

“It is true that people in the same ethnic group are more likely to show similarities in their tissue and organs. However, if such similarities are present, there is no medical problem with interracial organ transplant,” said Yang Cheol-woo, a transplant surgeon and director of the Oran Transplant Center at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital.

Yang said the number of organ donors fell far behind that of other advanced countries. Thirty-five people per 1 million Americans donate organs every year while there are only five in Korea, he said.

“The precious decision of Freel’s family has helped the organ recipients a lot and should inspire others in the future,” he said.

Her funeral was held Tuesday at the hospital’s mortuary and her body will be cremated Wednesday at a crematorium in Gyeonggi Province.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)