Matt's Story

On March 24th, 2018, Matthew Wright was driving home, when an F-150 truck pulled out in front of him. It took first responders a long time to extricate him from the car. Matthew was without oxygen for forty-five minutes, and had aspirated. He was taken to the hospital where they performed life-saving procedures. His spleen had ruptured, his left side was crushed, as were his arm and jaw, his ear was all but removed from his head, and he was bleeding internally. His family was soon notified of the situation, and they rushed to the hospital. When they arrived, they were able to see Matthew. He was lying in the hospital bed unconscious, he appeared to be sleeping. When Matthew was finally taken to surgery, his family had no idea what to expect. The next day, a neurologist informed the family that normal brain functions are measured on a scale of three to fourteen, with fourteen being normal and three being brain dead. Matthew was somewhere between a three and a six.

A decision had to be made, but Matthew had already made it. He had expressed his desire to be an organ donor if something tragic were to happen to him. His kidneys, his liver, his heart, and both of his corneas were donated. Matthew saved four people, and gave two people the gift of sight.

Nine months after the accident, Matthew’s family was able to meet one of his kidney recipients. Eight-year-old Landyn was about to go on dialysis when his family received a call informing them that there was a kidney available.

This is the video that was played at Matthew’s celebration of life. It encompasses who he was; a happy kid with a good sense of humor, who always had a smile on his face.

The families have now gotten to know each other, and have met for dinner several times. The Wright family often attends Landyn's baseball, football, and basketball games. The Wright’s cannot express how much joy and peace it gives them, knowing that Landyn is alive and doing well because of Matthew’s gift.

"This is a product of what can happen when you donate your organs. Matt told me one day, "I won’t need them anymore. Maybe there's somebody else out there that can use them."

Matthew’s passing has definitely been a struggle for everyone who he touched while he was alive, but the creation of the Matthew Wright Foundation will help Matthew’s memory live on. Matthew was raised to help and care for others, including animals. The foundation created in his name will carry on Matthew’s legacy of helping others through its support of The Humane Society, the promotion of organ donation, and by offering scholarships to students who do not have the financial means to go to college.

Even in death, Matthew Wright is making a difference in this world.

Matthew's Story