Teen killed in sawmill accident will save his mom’s life with organ donation

globalnews.ca:

A 16-year-old boy from Wisconsin who was killed in a sawmill accident is helping to save the lives of others, including his own mother, through organ donation, the teen’s father said.

Michael Schuls was working at Florence Hardwoods on June 29 when the fatal accident happened. The high school football player was attempting to unjam a wood-stacking machine when the conveyor belt he was standing on moved and caused him to be pinned inside the machine, according to reports from the Florence County Sheriff’s Office.

Schuls died in hospital two days later on July 1, according to an online obituary.

The teen’s father, Jim Schuls, told local WBAY Thursday that his son’s organs are being donated to multiple recipients.

“Lucky enough his mom was the perfect match for his liver,” Jim Schuls told WBAY. “And seven or eight other families received life. He delivered the miracle we prayed for seven other families, including his mother. That’s what’s keeping me going.”

It’s unclear why the teen’s mother needs a liver transplant.

Before Schuls died, a GoFundMe page was set up by the teen’s family to pay for his hospital expenses. It has since raised over US$23,000, more than doubling its original goal of US$10,000.

In an update posted on July 1, Schuls’ aunt wrote: “Michael was hurt very badly. His injuries are awful. Everyone is broken. There are no words to convey the sorrow and sadness.”

A day later, she posted an update confirming that Schuls died in hospital.

“Yesterday Michael began his eternal life in Heaven. We know he is surrounded by loved ones we have already lost and is no longer suffering,” the update reads.

She added that family members chose for Schuls to be an organ donor and that this “tremendous loss will bring new