Hollie’s last gift

Teen crash victim believed donating organ would create miracle for someone, writes Leah Tebbutt

A young road crash victim is leaving behind one last gift before her family say their final goodbyes.

At just 16, Hollie Snell felt passionately about organ donation and had previously shared with her wha¯nau her decision to donate if it meant she could help someone else.

Sadly, that time has nearly arrived. The Te Puke teenager was involved in a two-car crash at Okere Falls last Sunday. An occupant of the other car died and Hollie was left with head injuries she would not survive.

Her family has spent the week preparing to donate her organs while she has been on life support in Waikato Hospital.

Her older sister, Larnie Woodward, said Hollie believed organ donation would create a miracle for a family in need and, to respect her wishes, her family and doctors had been doing all they could to ensure her organs were well preserved.

“Death is something we have discussed many times in our immediate wha¯nau and we have all made it clear that any of us would donate organs should we be in a position to do so,” Woodward said.

Being able to donate Hollie’s organs was helping the family get through a difficult time, she said.

“In some ways it helps to know that we have provided peace and opportunity to someone else during our time of tragedy and devastation and this is comforting.

“It is important to our family that our loss can be someone else’s gain and we take peace from knowing lives will potentially be saved from making such a selfless yet easy decision.”

It’s been nearly a week since Hollie’s parents, Dale and David Snell, received the awful phone call that Hollie had been in a crash.

She had been airlifted to Waikato Hospital and put into an induced coma because of brain swelling.

The family decided against surgery because of the high risk of permanent brain damage.

On Tuesday, doctors told the wha¯nau they believed a large part of her brain had died.

There was still blood flow to her brain, however, and the doctors kept

her on life support to preserve her ability to donate organs.

Hollie donating her organs was true to her caring and selfless character, her sister said.

The teenager was actively involved in community events, volunteered at The Toy Library and loved spending her spare time with her mother at Plunket.

Her wha¯nau believed Hollie would pursue a career in early childhood because of how much she loved children, but Hollie had other plans.

“She wanted to commit to helping others who were less fortunate than her and, honestly, she just wanted to take care of all the children and babies in the world that needed caring for.

“She was such a selfless person and she would have excelled in a role such as social work that drove her . . . kind-hearted soul,” Woodward said.

As well as her family, Hollie leaves behind her partner of five years.

Hollie met Keani Walters at intermediate school when she was 12.

“We truly believe Hollie and Keani were soulmates and we know for a fact that Hollie is the love of his life,” Woodward said. “He has shown commitment to not only Hollie but our whole wha¯nau and he has been there for us in times of need.

“Our hearts break for him and we will stand by his side now and forever to help him heal with us.”

A Givealittle page was set up shortly after news of the crash spread and was initially to provide financial support for Hollie’s wha¯nau as they juggled transport, accommodation and food costs while supporting her.

“The aroha and awhi [support] we have received from the Te Puke community has been overwhelmingly outstanding to say the least.

“The wider community and people we don’t even know have all helped us in many different ways,” Woodward said.

“From the bottom of our broken hearts we can’t say thanks enough.”

More than $11,000 has been raised, which will now also go towards the cost of Hollie’s tangi, for which a date has yet to be set.

Family friend and Givealittle organiser Donna Tuck said she was inundated with people wanting to help because the family were such caring people.

“They are just the sort of people that if you need something, they would give it to you,” she said.

“Anybody that had ever met them, even if you had only met them once, has felt like they just want to do something,” Tuck said.

The family also wanted to acknowledge the staff at Waikato DHB and encouraged others to be organ donors to help save lives.

“[The medical staff ] have shown the utmost respect and cared for Hollie in the most comforting and dignified way possible,” Woodward said.

“Her loss has impacted on our wha¯nau and community more than one could ever imagine possible and there is a gaping huge hole in our lives and in our hearts.

“She will be missed dearly but forever remembered for her gorgeous character and outstanding qualities.”

The cause of the crash is not yet known. Police say the investigation is ongoing.