Drew Paul Wilson-Chan

Type of Donation:       Organ (heart, kidneys, and tissue)

Age and Location:      Age 4 – San Diego, CA

Date of Donation:           07/06/2022

Sponsor:                      Honored by Lifesharing

DREW’S STORY

Four-year-old Drew Wilson-Chan was a bright light in the world. He was big-hearted, cheerful, and outgoing. He looked out for everyone, especially his twin sister Chloe. He loved to help Mama and Dada with everyday chores, always asking a lot of questions about what they were doing and why. He was the perfect brother, the perfect son, and the perfect grandson. Drew wanted nothing more than to make people smile and laugh. He mastered some techniques – such as creating hilarious faces- to do this. But it was Drew's thoughtfulness that set him apart from other children. He was extremely kind, even setting aside his own desires to help others – unusual for a four-year-old.

Drew wanted to become a scientist when he grew up, following in the footsteps of his mom, dad, and older sister. Tragically, those dreams were never realized. In July 2022, Drew lost his life in a tragic swimming pool accident that resulted in a fatal brain injury.

Drew's father and first responders tried in vain to save his life, but his brain had been deprived of oxygen for too long. Drew's parents made the decision to donate his organs – they truly believed it was absolutely what he would have wanted. The San Diego nonprofit Lifesharing coordinated the donation and identified matching recipients on the transplant waiting list. Drew saved three lives when his kidneys were transplanted into two Southern California men in their 30s, and his loving heart was transplanted into a one-year-old boy in Northern California.

Before Drew's organs were recovered, hospital staff lined the hallway in a tribute known as an Honor Walk. In the operating room, Drew's favorite song -- "Who Let the Dogs Out" – was played in celebration of his playfulness and his love for animals. Lifesharing also held a moment of silence and read an emotional tribute from Drew's family, where they channeled their son's love of Marvel and DC characters: "Today, Drew Paul Wilson-Chan joins the legion of superheroes by doing something no other superhero can do: Give the gift of life. Drew, today, superheroes bow down to you. We all bow down to you."