Chardon High School victim Demetrius Hewlin donated organs by choice

This was indeed a very sad day for an Ohio high school and for the victims, families, friends and students. Words cannot express the grief and shock but if there's anything positive to come out of this it's the Gift of Life that Demetrius Hewlin passed on to others who are waiting for a transplant.

By Stan Donaldson, The Plain Dealer

CHARDON, Ohio -- Students who knew Demetrius Hewlin have recalled how the teen often worked out in the Chardon High School gym and liked to build up his body.

But others will remember 16-year-old bodybuilder, one of three students fatally wounded in shootings Monday at the high school, for the hope his harvested organs will give to people in need of them.

The families of Demetrius and fellow student, Russell King, made the donations Tuesday through Lifebanc, a Northeast Ohio agency that matches organs, eyes and tissue with patients awaiting transplants.

Shooting victim Demetrius Hewlin. WKYC Channel 3

Demetrius, who had a driver's license, was an organ donor by choice, said Lifebanc spokeswoman Haddie Bartholomew. But because he was under 18, his family had the final say.

She said one organ donor can save up to eight lives and can enhance the lives of 50 people through tissue donations.

“We feel privileged to honor the wishes of both Demetrius Hewlin and his family to give the gift of life during this most tragic time,” Lifebanc Chief Executive Gorden Bowen said in a statement.

Chardon Police Chief Tim McKenna said Demetrius died at MetroHealth Medical Center at 1 p.m. on Tuesday. McKenna did not specify where the teen was shot.

Trees in Demetrius’ neighborhood were lined with red ribbons and flowers. He lived in a white, multi-level house near the school. The family issued a statement after his death asking that everyone respect their privacy

Read more

“You Have the Power to Donate Life – to become an organ and tissue donor Sign-up today!
Tell Your Loved Ones of Your Decision”

Australia, register at Australian Organ Donor Register

New Zealand, register at Organ Donation New Zealand

Canada - Ontario beadonor.ca
other Canadian provinces

South Africa, http://www.odf.org.za/

United States, donatelife.net

United Kingdom, register at NHS Organ Donor Register

Your generosity can save or enhance the lives of up to fifty people with heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas and small intestine transplants (see allotransplantation). One tissue donor can help by donating skin, corneas, bone, tendon, ligaments and heart valves

Has your life been saved by an organ transplant? "Pay it forward" and help spread the word about the need for organ donation - In the U.S. another person is added to the national transplant waiting list every 11 minutes and 18 people die each day waiting for an organ or tissue transplant. Organs can save lives, corneas renew vision, and tissue may help to restore someone's ability to walk, run or move freely without pain. Life Begins with You.