Sask. teen’s organs donated after train crash death

Kailynn Bursic-Panchuk knew she wanted to donate her organs after the Humboldt Broncos bus crash killed 16 people in April.

The 17-year-old sadly died after a collision with a train near Weyburn on August 16.

Her family then decided they would grant her “last and most selfless” wish.

According to mother Sandra LaRose, who’s been posting regular updates on her Facebook profile, Kailynn’s liver and “one in a million” match kidneys are giving three recipients another chance at life.

“Unfortunately due to logistics that could not fall into place, her heart and lungs are not going to be able to be donated,” LaRose said.

Surgeons respected her daughter’s body by giving her a moment of their silence.

LaRose said early Saturday morning, the procedure was in its last phase.

“I have now learned that the recipient of Kailynn’s kidneys had basically a one in a million chance of finding a match as they are what is called ‘highly sensitized.’ So although I’ve already known this, now everyone will know she is (one in one million),” LaRose said on Facebook Thursday.

After the crash, Kailynn was air-lifted to Regina for surgery to relieve pressure off her brain and was then transferred to Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon.

She passed away there on August 22, the day after her 17th birthday.