Help for Junwon Seo and Family

Junwon Seo is in the ICU after sudden cardiac arrest and has sustained significant brain damage. He has been struggling with kidney failure since around September of last year. Before that, Junwon has silently and successfully fought kidney disease for a good part of his life, enduring one successful kidney transplant, and has been working hard to get his body inflammation down enough to receive a second kidney transplant.

All of his health challenges never stopped him from being a devoted husband and father, fiercely intelligent and funny. He has always been equally dedicated to his research and teaching and has remained eternally optimistic. This optimism and his gradual return to stabilized health led him to accept a new position at the University of Kentucky in Lexington for the fall. Unfortunately, this move has left the family without their established support network during this time of crisis. Junwon’s new university is doing all they can to support him and his family during this unexpected, tragic turn of events. However, Junwon’s bills will be extensive, and his family is left without their primary income earner for the foreseeable future.

Please consider donating to Junwon’s recovery as there are sure to be many unknown expenses that will not be covered by insurance. It is my hope that Eunhee will be able to access these funds for however she needs them as she helps Junwon fight for his life. Any amount helps and will be greatly appreciated. Now is our chance as a community to show them our support.

About the Organizer:

My name is Jennifer Wingate, and I am a former co-worker of Eunhee Chang’s. Really, I am more than that. Eunhee has been a wonderful friend whose love of chocolate and baked goods got us through many meetings and was shared with lots of laughter. Since Junwon and Eunhee live far from their family in South Korea, I am blessed with the title “Auntie” to her children Augustine, Gwyneth and Benedict. Eunhee and her husband have touched the lives of so many students and worked hard to teach them the skills they need to succeed. Seeing some of that dedication return to them would be wonderful. It’s devastating to see this happen only 20 days after they’ve moved from South Dakota. I can’t build a meal train to deliver them fresh meals or hold Eunhee’s hand or care for her kids during their time in need. Having experienced loss recently, I know that anything people can do to alleviate stress is immensely helpful, so easing the financial burden during this most difficult time will mean more than words can say. I sincerely hope that her Brookings Family and all their friends worldwide can help them in this way.