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Family of Eastpointe teen donates his organs after tragic death

Posted at 4:41 PM, Aug 22, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-22 18:53:41-04

At only 13-years old, Christian Pluszczynski of Eastpointe is being remembered as a hero, for donating his organs. 

“He loved children he loved life, he loved his family immensely, and he loved baseball,” said his aunt, Johanna Pluszczynski. 

Last Saturday Christian was involved in an ATV accident, on Sunday the family got the terrible news from doctors at St. Johns that he was brain dead. 

"The family made the most selfless decision to let Christian organs live on in others,” said Johanna. 

Christian was given a hero’s goodbye. On Tuesday at 2:30, doctors and nurses at St. Johns lined the hallways as Christian was taken to the operating room to donate his organs. 

"To see doctors crying going into his room and coming out and standing in the allies was so moving and so touching,” said Johanna. 

“Christian could not have helped people if it weren't for his family who in their, on their darkest day, the worst, absolutely worst possible day of their lives they thought of other people,” said Betsy Miner-Swartz, Communication Specialist for Gift of Life Michigan. 

Christian gave his liver, heart, and lungs to three different people -- two women and a man. Miner-Swartz with the Gift of Life says the youngest donor recipient is only 18-years-old. 

“It’s just amazing that this healthy 13-year-old young man can live on in others because his parents made the selfless decision to give the gift of life,” said Johanna. 

Registering to become an organ donor is easy, and people can do so by visiting the Gift of Life Michigan website or click here to register. 

People can also sign up as an organ donor by visiting the Secretary of State.