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Tragic Accident Kills One But Saves Seven 14-year-old victim's organs donated to many

Updated 7:33 PM EDT, Wed, Dec 3, 2008

Seven people are recovering from transplant surgery thanks to organ donations from 14-year-old Erin Ivey, who died in a tragic Thanksgiving accident.
WRC

Seven people are recovering from transplant surgery thanks to organ donations from 14-year-old Erin Ivey, who died in a tragic Thanksgiving accident.

 

Seven people -- from a 1-year-old baby to middle-aged men and women -- are recovering from transplant surgery thanks to organ donations from one 14-year-old girl from western Loudoun County.

Tragic Accident Kills 1 But Saves 7

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Seven people -- from a 1-year-old baby to middle-aged men and women -- are recovering from transplant surgery thanks to donations from one 14-year-old...

 
For Thanksgiving, Erin Ivey and her family vacationed with friends at a cabin by a pond at the Great North Mountain range near Winchester. The children were playing on a rope swing when the tree it was attached to snapped, knocking Erin unconscious and into the water.
 
Erin wanted to become a neonatal nurse and save lives, and she practiced caring for others and helping others every day, her family said. Not long before the accident that killed her on Thanksgiving Day -- her father's birthday -- she demonstrated that nature by running inside to get towels just in case someone fell in to the water.
 
When Erin's family learned that her organs could save seven lives and her skin tissue could enhance the lives of up to 100 people, they knew that's what she would want.
 
The Ivey family wants to meet the seven people who received Erin's organs. They know something about each of the recipients already, including a 12-year old boy from Massachusetts who'd been given 12 hours to live before Erin's lung saved him.
 

Comments (28)

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  • Siler Family Sunday, Dec 7 at 7:03 AM FLAG COMMENT To the Ivey family - What a wonderful story of giving at this time of year. I hope your story will inspire others to become organ donors. My son was in Erin's Spanish class and we attend PBC. He didn't know her well but said she was a nice person and I can tell he feels the loss. I can only imagine the pain you are going through, but I hope you find comfort in knowing that Erin's dream of saving lives was fulfilled even th ... MORE >
  • Anonymous Saturday, Dec 6 at 11:07 PM FLAG COMMENT i know her cousin its sooooooo sad! :[
  • Esther Campbell Saturday, Dec 6 at 10:30 PM FLAG COMMENT My Daughter Deb Campbell (now in Japan as a missionary) and I know that all things work together for those who are called for purposes that only God knows. He alone, can turn night into day and help you with the healing process. Four years ago, today, December 6th, our husband and father, Don Campbell, was taken to heaven - although suddenly for us - to be with the Lord. God is the author of all lives and their purpose whil ... MORE >
  • Dalton M Friday, Dec 5 at 10:14 PM FLAG COMMENT She was my best friend i loved her sooo much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Anonymous Friday, Dec 5 at 9:39 AM FLAG COMMENT What a wonderful ending to a tragic story. I would like to see more uplifting stories like this instead of the bad new that populates the airwaves. What a beautiful kid. I'm glad that from her tragic death, so much good could happen. God bless her family. She is indeed at his side in heaven.

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