A family in Wisconsin mourns the death of their young daughter after she died of an allergic reaction – but she finds solace in a life saved by a donated organ.
Hannah Glass, 19, is a freshman at Maranatha Baptist University and has had a severe peanut allergy since childhood.
After tasting a brownie that he didn’t know was made from peanut flour, he had an allergic reaction that eventually resulted in irreversible brain damage and death.
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The teenager’s parents, David and Janean Glass, spoke to Fox News Digital on camera to discuss their tragic loss and share a message of caution for other families. (See the video at the top of this article.)
The family first learned of their daughter’s allergy at age 3, when the child ate a peanut cookie and immediately vomited and broke out in a rash.
A family in Wisconsin mourns the death of their young daughter after she died of an allergic reaction – but she finds solace in a life saved by a donated organ. (glass family)
“That’s when we realized we had a serious allergy on our hands,” said David Glass.
Throughout his life, he was careful to avoid peanut butter and carried an EpiPen with him.
When a college friend gave Hannah Glass brownies, she never suspected they were made with peanut flour. After the first bite, he knew something was wrong. His throat didn’t close like it used to – but he threw up immediately and burst.
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The teenager called his parents to let them know what had happened. By the time they got to the dorm, he had taken allergy medicine and was looking better, but then something happened.
“He suddenly said, ‘I can’t breathe. I’m sick everywhere,'” said David Glass.
About an hour after the reaction began, the teenager 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 has happened since then has been a burden, pain and sorrow,” David Glass said.
Paramedics tried to revive the teenager, not realizing until he got to the hospital that his right lung had collapsed, causing a lack of oxygen to the brain.
“If we can help another family not feel this pain, we know it’s worth it.”
“Unfortunately, this time there’s not enough oxygen,” said David Glass. “At that point, the brain was completely damaged.”
“Even though we hope and pray and the doctors work and cry with us, what happened that night cannot be changed.”
Saving lives through tragedy
Faced with the painful reality of Hannah’s death, Kacamata began to have discussions about donating her daughter’s organs.
“If we can help another family not feel this pain, we know it’s worth it,” David Glass told Fox News Digital.
Hannah Glass, depicted as an infant and young adult, is the oldest of four siblings. “Hannah is very determined and dedicated to her future,” her mother told Fox News Digital. (glass family)
“Saving her body is in some ways selfish, because her body can be used to save someone else’s life. It’s a sacrifice we’re very happy to make, even if it hurts like crazy.”
A day after Hannah’s death, her family was informed that the donated organs had saved four lives.
“During the process of organ donation, we also agreed that Hannah’s tissue could be used to help others in many other ways that we were not aware of,” said David Glass.
A ‘humbling’ experience
Shortly after the teenager’s death, the hospital held a “walk of honor” on November 17. Friends, family and community members were invited to line the hall as he was transported through the hospital with his parents and relatives.
Nearly 300 people attended the procession.
“She is amazing and an incredible blessing, and I am proud to call her my daughter.”
“It’s very humbling,” Janeane Glass told Fox News Digital. “It’s hard for me to see people, but the love and support is incredible.”
After that, everyone gathered together to sing hymns and Christmas songs that young children love.
“The testimony of the love of man and the love of God for us was heard throughout the hospital,” said Janeane Glass.
The hospital printed a picture of Hannah Glass’ heartbeat to keep the family safe, which Hannah and her sister held in their arms. (glass family)
Glasses show his deep love and pride for his daughter.
“Hannah is very determined and dedicated to her future,” her mother told Fox News Digital.
“She was very independent and had a leadership personality. From a young age, all she could think about was college.”
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Hannah Glass has saved enough money to cover all of college. She is majoring in English education and plans to become a teacher.
But her greatest passion was helping others, her parents said.
One of Hannah Glass’s siblings held her hand in the ICU. After his death, nearly 300 people showed up for a “walk of honor” at the hospital. (glass family)
“One of the main things we’ve heard from kids on campus is how much they care about them,” Janeane Glass said.
“She just had a heart to serve others – and to serve the Lord. She was amazing and an incredible blessing, and I’m proud to call her my daughter.”
Hannah Glass’ funeral was held on November 20. “She had a heart to serve others – and to serve God,” her mother told Fox News Digital. (glass family)
David Glass shared that the family’s faith in God has “given them hope.”
“It is hope that there is more than just life, we have life and the opportunity to live forever with God.”
‘Seriously’
For other families who also have food allergies, Glasses offers the message “take it seriously.”
For others with food allergies, Glasses has this message: “Take it seriously. Get tested, and don’t wait for it to happen again. Get an EpiPen and be prepared.” Daughter Hannah Glass as a child is shown here. (glass family)
“Get tested, and don’t wait for it to happen again,” says David Glass. “Get an EpiPen and be prepared.”
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It is also important to be careful and aware of food ingredients, they added, especially when it is something without a label.
“It’s a scary world, because what many people eat as a healthy meal or snack can be poison for the person sitting next to them,” said David Glass.
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“Even if you can’t live constantly in fear, an individual or a parent should know that at some point, they will encounter this allergy – and it can be serious.”
