Saves lives as organ donor
Mason Kiley died a hero. In many ways, he always did his very best to live as one as well.
The 14-year-old Bayou Gauche resident passed away Sunday night at 6:59 p.m., due to injuries suffered after falling from a golf cart on Easter.
Unbeknownst to even his immediate family, Kiley registered to be an organ donor, and his wishes were honored: as of Monday, recipients had already been found for his heart, both lungs, both kidneys and his liver – meaning Kiley will save lives.
“We are completely crushed,” said Tomilee Reilly, Kiley’s aunt and the sister of his mother Missie Duraparu. “But we find peace knowing that through Mason’s death, he was able to save the lives of others through organ donation.”
The St. Charles Parish community rallied around Kiley and his family after the accident.
Kiley was airlifted to Children’s Hospital after falling from a golf cart and hitting his head on the ground. He was riding with friends and fell from the cart. The fall caused brain trauma and Kiley underwent brain surgery to remove blood and pressure on his brain.
After surviving this surgery, he was placed in PICU in critical care. Kiley’s family was told that the brain damage suffered from the brain bleed, the pressure on the brain stem, and a stroke he had prior to the surgery would be irreversible.
Prior to his passing, Reilly called the tragic accident devastating for their family, and said they were leaning heavily on their faith to get them through an extremely difficult time.
“(The family) has been overwhelmed by the love and support of the entire St. Charles community and beyond,” said Reilly. “(The Durapaus) remain steadfast in their love of the Lord, inspired by Mason’s own faith.”
Durapau has been a pediatric critical care nurse for over a decade, with much of her time spent in the very same unit her son received care in.
Reilly said Kiley, who was a student at J.B. Martin Middle School, was extremely active in his church, participating in youth group and leading monthly bible lessons for the youngest members of his family’s church.
“He loved the Lord with all his heart … from a young age, Mason had an incredibly strong relationship with Jesus,” Reilly said.
Even at that young age, Kiley had clear intentions about what he wanted to do in life: his aim was to become a preacher.
He was also a true Louisiana boy in that he was a football fanatic.
“(He wanted to be) a preacher – and a member of the NFL Hall of Fame,” Reilly said. “Second to God, this boy loved football.”
Kiley also had a special ability about him to connect with others.
“He was a sweet and loving kid who has a way of making you feel seen and loved. He’s never met a stranger and would talk your ear off, given the chance,” Reilly said.
He and his family have been known as helpers, through and through, and many in the community stepped forward to return the favor. Maria Tarver, a close friend of Durapau and her husband Marty, created a GoFundMe page (titled Miracle for Mason) to help offset the costs of Kiley’s medical care, a page that more than 400 people made donations to.
“They are way too humble to ask for help financially, but I feel like with no work and medical expenses and such a large family, any contribution would be such a blessing to the family during this extremely long road they have ahead of them,” Tarver said. “(The Durapaus) always give their time and heart to those they know.”
