Life from death
3 saved by donated organs of slain man
In dying, Bryan Trinidad gave the gift of life to three strangers.
The family of the churchgoing Brooklyn man killed in a September fistfight took solace in knowing Bryan — motivated by the death of his grandmother — signed up six years earlier as an organ donor.
Trinidad, 27, died Sept. 26 at NYU Langone HospitalBrooklyn, just two days after his altercation with bullying co-worker Luis Solano. Trinidad went crashing to the pavement after a punch from Solano, suffering a head injury. Witnesses said Solano continued pounding the incapacitated victim even as Trinidad suffered a seizure.
As the young man’s family continued to mourn a life senselessly lost too soon, their spirits were boosted by thoughts that Bryan did God’s work until his final breath.
His aunt Deborah Trinidad didn’t know of Bryan’s commitment to aid others until she arrived at NYU Langone after the fight.
“I learned it from one of the nurses, that he had signed up to be an organ donor,” recounted Trinidad, 50. “At the age of 22, in 2012.”
When Deborah mentioned it to Bryan’s mother, she was already aware of his decision. Family members grew worried when Trinidad was declared brain dead Monday night, afraid his deteriorating health could submarine his last wish of helping others.
Their fears proved only partially true.
“The organs kept on failing from the top down,” said Trinidad. “His heart, then his lungs — but they were able to take his pancreas, both kidneys, and liver.”
A 68-year-old woman was the beneficiary of Trinidad’s liver.
A 43-year-old woman received the young man’s right kidney.
And a 29-year-old woman received his pancreas and his left kidney.