Aurora victim's donated organs save man's life?

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Published time: July 22, 2012 22:12
Edited time: July 23, 2012 02:13

One victim of the Aurora shooting has reportedly saved a man’s life from beyond the grave. Receiving two new lungs from the deceased organ donor, “Uncle Greg” will now be able to live.

­The news broke as Reddit user lucasmassey posted an image of his uncle and two women in the hospital after the operation.

“My Uncle Greg just got two new lungs from a victim of the Aurora shootings. Amazing that such tragedy saves a man’s life too,” the post read.

The post received more than 1,000 comments, and nearly 20,000 views in the first four hours of its posting and quickly rose to be Reddit’s top post of the day.

“I know if I was in the victim’s family’s shoes, the idea of your uncle getting another chance would be such a great source of comfort,” wrote Reddit user swordfishtrombonez.

“To think that the alternative is simply to have perfectly good organs go to waste in a box in the ground… not being an organ donor seems such a selfish waste,” replied  bunglejerry.

In the United States, more than 100,000 people are waiting for an organ donation to save their lives. Another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list every 10 minutes, and 18 people die every day from lack of available organs.

As of March, 113,115 US patients were waiting for an organ donation.

While the tragic nature of the Colorado shooting has received global attention, the story of a saved life may bring minor comfort to those seeking better news.

“The next unexpected tragedy for one person could be a lifesaving event for another,” writes Reddit user itsmath.