The parents of a five-year-old girl who was killed in a freak accident have fulfilled her final act of kindess in her memory.
Tom and Krystal Masters have donated the organs of their 5-year-old daughter Aurora after she tragically passed away from injuries sustained in a freak accident on May 8th, per the Daily Mail.
Aurora had been playing in the backyard of her family's home when she became entangled in the ropes of a disc swing, strangling herself.
She suffered fatal brain damage and was taken off life support on May 13.
Despite their immense grief, the Masters made the difficult decision to allow Aurora's organs to be donated through Donor Alliance, an organization that facilitates organ and tissue donations in Colorado and Wyoming.
"We know that Aurora's heart is beating somewhere," said Krystal Masters, her mother. Tom Masters added, "It genuinely helps for us to live with that."
The family describes the organ donation as Aurora's "final act of kindness", befitting a little girl who always wanted to help others.
"I am proud of my daughter," Krystal told 9 News. "I was already proud, but she's still giving."
A GoFundMe campaign set up to honor Aurora's memory has raised over $32,000 so far. "Our sweet Aurora Rae has once again demonstrated her ninja quality of bravery, partnering with the Donor Alliance to complete her giving of gifts. She is demonstrating the qualities of a black belt," the family wrote.
Services for Aurora will be held this Saturday, June 8th at a local church. "Our hearts are shattered and we continue the journey to honor and celebrate her worldly gifts," the family stated.
The freak accident occurred when Aurora moved her small plastic slide next to the disc swing while playing unsupervised. Somehow, she became entangled in the ropes when going down the slide, cutting off oxygen to her brain.
Doctors at Children's Hospital Colorado delivered the devastating news that she would not survive the injury. Aurora was surrounded by 19 family members from Wyoming and Nebraska in her final days.
Tom Masters spoke about how Aurora had reinvigorated his life after a difficult mental health struggle when she was born. "She came along when I was at a really bad mental health place. It felt like there was something almost magical about her," he told the Denver Post.
Krystal Masters hopes her daughter's story will inspire other parents to cherish every moment. "Love your kid every minute, have a dance party and just live life. Because you never know when it's going away," she said.
An update posted by the family on May 14 read: "Right now, we are a reflection of Aurora’s love AND a reflection of the outpouring of YOUR love.
"Thank you is inadequate, but it is what we have! Aurora continues the journey to giving her best gifts to others through organ donation. We covet your continued love, prayers and support as we navigate hard decisions for Aurora and us."
