Monday, April 28, 2014

Update from Bram's Sister, Tessa

Late Thursday evening, Bram was airlifted to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee. Doctors were surprised that he had survived the crash with such injuries. He sustained severe brain trauma and a collapsed lung. Aside from the severe fractures to his skull, and the collapsed lung, Bram did not have other injuries. From the very beginning, doctors made it clear that Bram would not be able to survive from his injuries. Paul and Case were in the Netherlands at the time of the crash and arrived in Milwaukee with Annemarie on Saturday evening. Tessa, Shari's family, and dozens of Bram and Shari's friends were by his side in the meantime. 
On Saturday evening, Bram and Shari's families made the decision to start the process of organ donation. By 5:00pm on Sunday, an organ transplant team was set and the recipients were on stand by. At 5:30pm Bram was taken off life support. Bram was surrounded by our families until he peacefully passed 40 minutes later, without signs of struggle or discomfort. Bram and Shari are together again, which brings a lot of peace of mind. 

 Today we received a phone call that Bram was able to save 3 lives by means of donating his lungs and two kidneys. Shari was able to donate skin, heart valves, and her corneas.
Bram and Shari are together shining their light down upon Wesley and Charlotte.

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11 comments:

  1. UnknownApril 28, 2014 at 12:54 PM

    Thank you Tessa. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers. Julie's whole Mount Mary group is also standing - ready to help however we can.

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  2. AnonymousApril 28, 2014 at 3:10 PM

    Thank you so much for sharing. My best friend's son (will be 1 year old on April 30th) just had a life saving liver transplant. Knowing that the family authorized organ donation makes me so happy despite the sadness.

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  3. UnknownApril 28, 2014 at 4:37 PM

    So sorry for your loss. What an amazing gift to the recipients of the organs, and wonderful that your loved ones live on while saving lives. Your family is in my prayers.

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  4. UnknownApril 28, 2014 at 5:32 PM

    Tessa - I am so sorry and saddened by this tragic loss. I did not get to know Bram very well, but have obviously known you since you were a freshman in HS. I know how close you were and your family is. Your strength is amazing. My heart aches for you. I worked closely with Shari for a long time --- back to her days as a student trainer at JMM. Our sports medicine family is devastated. She was never happier than with Bram. They touched so many people, they will always be with those people and the others they touch. The Sherry family and sports medicine family has you in our thoughts and prayers.

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  5. JenApril 28, 2014 at 5:39 PM

    heartbreaking. just heard from a friend and though i dont know you personally been praying all weekend...

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  6. UnknownApril 28, 2014 at 7:14 PM

    I never knew Bram and Shari but my best friend did and she has shared many beautiful stories. Their lives have touched so many lives even people like me who were fortunate enough to meet them. From the bottom of my heart and soul I send my love and prayers for their precious children and their families.
    Tommy Staves
    Milwaukee

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  7. UnknownApril 28, 2014 at 7:19 PM

    Lots of people in Madison from Imperial Blades are available to help in anyway..from dog care to connecting nursing mothers extra milk for Charlotte, running errands..anything please let us know. Call Sara or Lindsey at Imperial Blades.

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    Replies
    1. KellyApril 29, 2014 at 7:06 AM

      Thank you, Sara. I'll pass along the information.

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  8. UnknownApril 29, 2014 at 6:50 AM

    Prayers for your family from Troy, IL. So sorry for your losses!

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  9. PDGApril 30, 2014 at 6:45 AM

    We live a block over from Shari and Bram, although we did not have a chance to meet them some of the neighbors would like to do something to help. Cook meals? Help with the kids? Whatever we can do...please let us know!

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  10. AlyciaMay 9, 2014 at 12:07 PM

    I didn't know Shari and Bram at all, in fact I just learned of them less than 5 minutes ago, but reading this brought tears to my eyes. Something so tragic and devastating to a young family, but yet they were able to help a number of people with their gift of organ donation. My thoughts are with their family during this difficult time.

    Alycia @ Crazily normal: mitchalycia.blogspot.ca

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