Family of Asher Sullivan says he saved 4 lives through organ donation

Ethan Illers
·1 min read
7

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – Two days after the son of Rutherford County’s director of schools died after getting caught in a storm drain, the boy’s family said he saved four lives by donating his organs.

Rutherford County Director of Schools Dr. Jimmy Sullivan posted on social media Monday night, saying that earlier in the day, an honor walk was held for his son, 10-year-old Asher Sullivan, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Sullivan said he and his family walked Asher to the operating room elevators to begin organ donation, and that Asher has saved four lives as a result of donating his organs.

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Sullivan’s social media post showed a picture of Asher at the Rialto Bridge in Venice, Italy, that was taken back in March. Sullivan posted the picture with the following caption:

“The Rialto Bridge in Venice from March. I will live my life to make sure this amazing kid is never forgotten and that his spirit lives on. Today we had our honor walk and walked Asher to the OR elevators to begin organ donation. We’ve been notified he saved four lives.”

Asher “officially passed away” Saturday, May 18, more than a week after he got caught in a storm drain and was swept under the streets in Christiana following severe weather.

According to Sullivan’s first social media post about the incident, neighbors in Christiana were helping clean up after the strong storms on Wednesday, May 8, while a group of children were playing in the water in the streets. That’s when, “Somehow, Asher got caught in the storm drain and was swept under the neighborhood streets. He eventually came out in a drainage ditch and CPR was administered for quite some time. His heart beat was reestablished but the damage is substantial.”

Middle TN honors 10-year-old storm victim with helmet stickers

For over a week, Sullivan provided updates on Asher’s condition on social media at least once a day.

A GoFundMe has been set up for the Sullivan family. If you would like to donate, click here.

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