The death of a 17-year-old Anaheim high school tennis player who collapsed without warning last week has saved the lives of three other patients, according to a group that coordinated her organ donation.
Morgan Wilson, a student and varsity tennis co-captain at Esperanza High School, suffered cardiac arrest while on a warmup run before a private tennis lesson in Anaheim July 8. She never regained consciousness and died in the hospital eight days later.
Wilson had no known history of heart problems, the school’s tennis club booster president had said.
Wilson was the subject of an outpouring of support from the school community and friends who took to Twitter, using the hashtag #prayforMorgan.
She had signed up to be an organ donor without the knowledge of her parents, they said in a statement issued through UC Irvine Medical Center, where Wilson was treated.
“Like so many things in her life, this reminds us what a generous and selfless soul she has,” parents Scott and Debbie wrote Wednesday. “Our hope is that (her donation) will save other people’s lives.”
On Friday, OneLegacy, a nonprofit organ and tissue recovery agency that serves Southern California, announced that Wilson’s donation indeed had saved lives.
Two children and an adult on the national organ transplant waiting list received Wilson’s liver and kidneys, according to OneLegacy.
“Morgan loved life. She had a gift for making others around her feel warm and special,” her parents said in a statement issued by OneLegacy. “Although we are heartbroken at our loss, we take comfort in knowing that Morgan is once again bringing happiness to others.”
Because she was a minor, Wilson’s registration through the DMV to be a donor required the final authorization of her parents, who gave permission.
Wilson also donated her corneas, which can be used to prevent or cure blindness, skin that can be used for burn dressings, and bone that can help repair fractures and prevent amputations, according to OneLegacy.