The death of 16-year-old Tyler Klassen, killed in a weekend crash in Steinbach, is gifting life to dozens of people he didn't know.
"His mom is just full of mixed emotions right now,” said Doreen Dueck , a close friend of the Klassen’s family.
Dueck explained what Tyler’s mother Lisa has been telling her constantly via text message, “I'm losing my child, I’m devastated, I’m broken, but my child is going to be saving 45 lives at the same time so my heart is full of joy."
Klassen died in hospital Wednesday morning.
He and one other teen were involved in a roll over crash Saturday on Hanover Road West, south of Steinbach.
Klassen, who was the driver of the car, had only gotten his license two days prior to the crash and on that same day he had also signed up to become an organ donor.
According to Dueck, doctors told the Klassen family Tyler’s organs will be helping 45 people who desperately need transplants.
She said doctors kept Klassen on life support for four days in hopes that his heart and lungs would recover enough to be donated, but both were too damaged as result of the crash.
“They were able to remove his pancreases, kidneys, liver, muscles and tissues,” Dueck said.
Klassen’s eyes were also removed and will be helping seven different people.
Dueck explained that Klassen's willingness to donate his organs to those who need them is inspiration to her family.
Her own 11-year-old son will need a kidney transplant in early adulthood.
"It gives me hope that there will be more people like him that will do that when the time comes,” she said.
A GoFundMe page set up by Dueck has raised almost $10,000 to help cover Klassen's funeral costs.
Kaura O'Donnell, a friend of Tyler's from Steinbach, is planning a candlelit vigil at the local skate park, where Klassen loved spending time.
“He was like a brother to me and he always knew what I needed at every moment,” O’Donnell said. “Tyler was dependable and I love and miss him.”
