A Wisconsin family is grieving the loss of their teenage daughter who died from an allergic reaction, but they are finding some solace in the life saved by her donated organs.
Hannah Glass, 19, a freshman at Maranatha Baptist University, has lived with a severe peanut allergy since childhood.
After unknowingly taking a bite of a brownie made with peanut flour, she experienced an allergic reaction that ultimately led to irreversible brain damage and death.
The boy's parents, David and Jane Glass, joined Fox News Digital's cameras to talk about their tragic loss and share a message of warning to other families.
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Her family first learned of Hannah Glass's allergies when she was 3 years old, when she took a bite of a peanut butter cookie, immediately threw up and developed a rash.
A Wisconsin family is grieving the loss of their teenage daughter who died from an allergic reaction, but they are finding some solace in the life saved by her donated organs. (Glass family)
“That's when we realized we had a severe allergy on our hands,” David Glass said.
Throughout her life, she was careful to avoid peanut butter and carried an EpiPen.
When a college friend gave Hannah Glass a brownie, she never guessed it was made with peanut flour. After taking the first bite, she knew something was wrong. Her throat didn't close like it used to, but she threw up quickly and developed a rash.
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The girl called her parents and informed them of what had happened. By the time she arrived at her dorm, she had taken allergy medication and seemed to be feeling better, but then things took a turn for the worse.
“All of a sudden she said, 'I can't breathe. It hurts everywhere,'” David Glass said.
About an hour after the reaction began, Glass' daughter lost consciousness and her parents called 911.
Hannah Glass, 19, is a freshman at Maranatha Baptist University, where she is studying English education. (Glass family)
“Everything that happened from that moment on was a burden, a lot of heartache and a lot of sadness for us,” David Glass said.
Paramedics tried to resuscitate the girl, but did not realize until they arrived at the hospital that her right lung had collapsed, causing a lack of oxygen to her brain.
“We thought if we can prevent other families from having to go through this level of pain, we have to do it.”
“Unfortunately, it took too long because we didn't have enough oxygen,” said David Glass. At that point, my brain had suffered significant damage.
“Although we offered our hopes and prayers, and the doctors worked right beside us, crying, nothing could change what happened that night.”
lives saved through tragedy
Faced with the painful reality of Hannah's death, the Megane couple began discussing donating their daughter's healthy organs.
“We knew if we could prevent another family from having to go through this level of pain, we had to do it,” David Glass told FOX News Digital.
Hannah Glass is pictured as a baby and a girl, and was the eldest of four children. “Hannah was very determined and committed to her future,” her mother told FOX News Digital. (Glass family)
“Keeping her body is selfish in a way, because that body could be used to save someone else's life. Even if it hurt like crazy, it's because we It was a sacrifice I was willing to make.”
The day after Hannah's death, her family was informed that the donated organs had saved four lives.
“During the organ donation process, we also agreed that Hannah's tissue could be used to help others in countless other ways that we were unaware of,” added David Glass. Ta.
A “humble” experience
Shortly after the girl's death, the hospital held an “Honor Walk” on Nov. 17, where friends, family and community members lined the hall as the girl was transported through the hospital with her parents and siblings.
Nearly 300 people participated in the procession.
“She was truly amazing and such a blessing. I'm so proud to call her my daughter.”
“It was very humbling,” Janine Glass told Fox News Digital. “I had a hard time looking at people, but the outpouring of love and support was incredible.”
Afterwards, everyone gathered together to sing the teen's favorite hymns and Christmas songs.
“The love of others and the testimony of God's love for us echoed throughout the hospital,” Janine Glass said.
The hospital printed out an image of Hannah Glass's heartbeat for her family to keep, and she and her brother are keeping it in their possession. (Glass family)
Mr. and Mrs. Megane shared a deep love and pride for their daughter.
“Hannah was very determined and committed to her future,” her mother told FOX News Digital.
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“She was very independent and had a leadership personality. From a young age, all she wanted to do was go to college.”
Hannah Glass had saved enough money to pay for her entire college education. She majored in English education and planned to become a teacher.
But her greatest passion was helping others, her parents said.
One of Hannah Glass's brothers holds her hand in the intensive care unit. Nearly 300 people gathered for a “walk of honor” at the hospital after her death. (Glass family)
“One of the main things I heard from the kids on campus was how much she cared about them,” Janine Glass said.
“She just had a heart to serve others and to serve the Lord. She was truly amazing and an incredible blessing. I'm so proud to call her my daughter.”
Hannah Glass's funeral was held on November 20th. “She had a heart to serve others and a heart to serve the Lord,” her mother told Fox News Digital. (Glass family)
David Glass said his family's faith in God “gave us hope.”
“It is the hope that there is more to living than just being alive, that we have a soul and that we have the opportunity to live forever with God.”
“Please think seriously.”
To other family members who may have food allergies, the glasses send a message: “Please take this seriously.”
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“Don't wait for it to happen again, get tested,” David Glass urged. “Get your EpiPen and get ready.”
To other family members who may have food allergies, the glasses send a message: “Please take this seriously.” “Don't wait for it to happen again, get tested,” David Glass urged. “Get your EpiPen and get ready.” (Glass family)
They added that it is important to be careful and aware of the ingredients in foods, especially those that are unlabeled.
“It's a scary world. What most people eat as a snack or a healthy snack can be poisonous to the person sitting next to them,” says David Glass. spoke.
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“While we cannot live in fear forever, both we and our parents need to be fully aware that we may encounter this allergy at some point, and it can be serious.”
