Tragedy turns into gift of life
By Christopher Behnan • DAILY PRESS & ARGUS • June 20, 2008
Jim Krywko had seen others face the same dilemma countless times, and knew exactly what to do when he found himself in the same situation.
This week, the Howell firefighter decided to donate the organs of his son, 6-year-old Hunter, shortly after Hunter suffered what became fatal head injuries in a dirt bike accident at a friend's property north of Howell on Father's Day.
Father and son were riding together.
After eight years as a firefighter — four years with the Howell department, and four years with the Bangor department — the Howell Township man said he'd seen firsthand how crushing, unexpected tragedy can mean new life for others.
"Knowing that there's kids out there needing what he had to offer, it wasn't a decision, yes or no. It's just the right thing to do," Krywko said.
"He no longer had a need for it, and these people do," he added.
Hunter was pronounced dead Monday at the University of Michigan Medical Center. Once his family made the decision to donate his organs through the nonprofit Gift of Life — Michigan's organ donor agency — Hunter was kept on a ventilator until Tuesday night, when the organs could be recovered, said Eric LaPres, a family friend and fellow firefighter.
Hunter's heart, liver, kidneys and intestines were removed, tested, and possible matches were immediately notified, LaPres said.
Hunter's heart went to a recipient in New York, his father said.
LaPres, who stood by the family throughout the ordeal, said the family was fully prepared to make a decision when approached by Gift of Life.
"I don't think there was any discussion about it. They were very adamant about that," LaPres said of the Krywkos' decision.
"That's the kind of people they are," he added.
Funeral services for Hunter will be held at noon today at Howell City Park.
Krywko and his family, wife Erin; daughter, Alexis, 4; and son, Hayden, 1; saw organ donation from the other side of the fence on Thanksgiving, when Alexis was in the hospital with a kidney malfunction.
Doctors said she would likely need a transplant if her condition didn't improve, but it did.
In both cases, the philosophy of the golden rule and "what goes around comes around," came into play, Krywko said.
"Donate. Give the gift of life to somebody," he said. "That's got to be the best gift you can give."
A 'typical kid'
Most students at Challenger Elementary, where Hunter would be a first-grader in the fall, will know about their classmates death before school begins in September, Challenger Principal Deborah Madeja said.
The school has already been flooded with phone calls, and the news has already hit much of the Howell community. Many plan to attend today's services, Madeja said.
While special arrangements for grief counseling won't be made, the school's social worker and counseling staff will be available to meet with students in the fall, Madeja said.
While Hunter had only completed kindergarten, he was already a major presence at the school, always smiling in class and proud of his milestones, she said.
"He was a very good kid. I know that his teachers just adored having him," Madeja said. "He loved school and he loved learning."
Hunter's obituary said he "loved being outdoors, swimming, fishing, catching frogs, riding his dirt bike," among other activities.
LaPres, who's son Jack, 4, often played with Hunter, said that sums up the young boy's life.
"The kids got along great. They entertain each other and helped each other get in trouble and blamed it on the other one," LaPres said.
Krywko said his son, who was a constant help around the house, always acted the part of big brother to his two siblings, he said.
Making the call
While many deaths are sudden, like Hunter's, about 70 percent of Michigan families approached by Gift of Life consent to organ donation, spokeswoman Jennifer Tislerics said.
That generosity has expanded to parents who would like to save other families the loss of a child.
"It's amazing how generous people can be in that moment that might be the worst moment in their lives," Tislerics said.
"I would say it's not uncommon for a family who has a lost a child to decide if there's an opportunity to save another family from that grief that they do so," she added.
Many parents return to volunteer for the organization, and find comfort in meeting other parents in the same situation, Tislerics said.
"Those parents are some of the most passionate volunteers that we have. I think they, in particular maybe hold on to that positive aspect of that loss they have suffered and want to share that with other people," she said.
Donors and recipients are allowed to communicate, first through Gift of Life, and then on their own.
When the time is right, Krywko said he and his family may do that.
Many of Krywkos' fellow firefighters have pitched in to help the family and arrange today's services.
"When something like this happen, it doesn't matter what department you're on, you're all doing the same thing for the same benefit. Everybody pulls together and does whatever they can," LaPres said.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hunter James Krywko Memorial Fund, care of First National Bank, 101 E. Grand River Ave., Howell.
For more on Gift of Life, see www.giftoflifemichigan.org.
Contact Daily Press & Argus reporter Christopher Behnan at (517) 548-7108 or at cbehnan@gannett.com | 
