Heartfelt Memorial Fund for Jung Sook Han

Overview

Hello, I'm Brant, and I'm reaching out to you for a fundraiser in honor of my mother, Jung Sook Han, who was 56 years old. On August 4, 2023, she was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach (gastric) cancer when she arrived at the emergency room. My mother had been faithfully visiting the clinic for annual check-ups, but unfortunately, she received a misdiagnosis of bacteria forming in her stomach wall (and was prescribed medication in mid-2022), which turned out to be the initial stage of cancer.

Despite her persistence, the doctors had difficulty identifying the root cause of her illness, and after several unsuccessful attempts during surgery, they were unable to provide a cure. She spent a total of 4 weeks in and out of the hospital. During her hospitalization, her cancer progressed due to the loneliness and depression she experienced in the evenings when visitation hours ended.

My mother's wish was to spend her final moments in the comfort of her own home, and on September 06, 2023, at 06:53 PM PDT, she peacefully passed away in her sleep at home.

Our Story

My family and I arrived in the United States on January 14, 2002. At the time, I was 6 years old, my younger brother Andy was 4, and our mother was 34. Our decision to come to the United States stemmed from several reasons. Our grandfather had encouraged us to explore life abroad and experience the world beyond South Korea. Additionally, we saw it as an opportunity for Andy and me to pursue new possibilities in a land filled with opportunities. However, despite the promising prospects, our journey did not unfold as smoothly as we had hoped.

For two decades, our mother devoted herself to her job as a skin care specialist during her 21 years in the United States. She remained unwaveringly loyal to the same employer who had given her the initial opportunity. Her dedication was remarkable, as she worked six days a week, from 8 AM to 8 PM, never missing a single day of work, not even on holidays, including Christmas. Even when she fell ill, she would don a mask and head to work, despite our attempts to persuade her otherwise. Her job was physically demanding, but she never complained about exhaustion or expressed frustration.

Throughout these 20 years, our mother struggled to build new friendships or enjoy a social life. Her workplace had only two employees, herself and the owner, making it challenging to establish new connections. Her grueling work schedule further limited her free time, with only one day off each week, making it nearly impossible to engage in leisure activities. We never had the opportunity to travel as a family or visit theme parks during our childhood. We lived a modest life, with just enough to get by.

As her health deteriorated, our mother made the difficult decision to leave her 20-year job and transitioned to working in elderly care for less than a year. In this new role, she met wonderful people and forged new friendships, allowing her to reduce her work hours and days, finally enjoying life after dedicating so many years to a single job.

Despite the hardships, we never complained or gave our parents a difficult time while growing up. From an early age, we understood that we were here for the bigger picture and not for the small inconveniences. Life was challenging, but surprisingly, we were very content. We cherished our family bond, and our mother was the cornerstone of our happiness. Even during tough times, she would reassure us, saying, "We have each other, don't worry; we're a family."

Our mother's career may not have been ideal, but it taught us invaluable lessons in responsibility, selflessness, and loyalty. She wore a perpetual smile, never raised her voice, and never uttered a negative word throughout her lifetime. It's unfair that she had to leave us prematurely, but even in her final moments, she prioritized our family. Despite her pain, she worried about us being tired and feeling like a burden. We conveyed our love to her until her last breath.

One of her last messages to our family was, "I have no regrets. I was happy and loved. Even though I didn't have much, I couldn't ask for a better family. Live well."

We will forever cherish her memory, knowing that she will reside in our hearts until the end of time. Thank you for taking the time to read our story, and any assistance is greatly appreciated. Always remember to love your family and treasure every moment with them.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the individuals who visited my mom during her hospitalization and at her home. We are immensely thankful for the outpouring of support from those who came to see her, as well as those who reached out through calls and messages, especially those who could not be physically present due to residing in Korea. Despite her limited social interactions, this overwhelming response highlights her character and the profound impact she had on those around her. It's a testament to the difference she made in the lives of others.

We will keep this updated for potential service date.