Positive side of organ donation shines through death of Spanish Fork teen

SPANISH FORK, Utah — Family says the parents of Reagan, the 13-year-old killed in a crash in Spanish Fork, had their share of tragedies.

“They had both lost their spouses before they got married,” Brittany Teasdale said. “Reagan's mother lost her husband when Reagan was 19 months old, then remarried her father, who took care of her, and he lost his wife to cancer and in 2019. So they all two lost their spouses and now they have to plan their daughter's funeral.

Reagan and her best friend, Olivia, were hit by a car while crossing Canyon Road in Spanish Fork on May 18. Olivia is home and recovering, while Reagan was taken off life support Monday.

There is a silver lining: Teasdale's cousin was able to donate her liver, kidneys and heart.

“Reagan was the first donor to donate her heart through trans doctors to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake,” she said. “The nurses described it as a miracle.”

It's rare for a child to receive an organ donation, said Mark Dixon, director of public education and public relations for Donor Connect.

“There is a long list of people on the waiting list for organ donation, and their ages range from very, very young, even infants, to people in their 60s. And the 70s and maybe even more than that,” he said. “If there is a glimmer of hope, then tissue and organ donations represent a consolation to a very, very tragic situation. »

Reagan's family is accepting donations to help cover medical and funeral expenses. You can donate to their GoFundMe here.