In a profound act of generosity following a tragic loss, a 13-year-old girl from South Florida has given a second chance at life to five people, including her own father. Symaria Glenn, described as a vibrant teen with a love for singing and dancing, suffered a devastating brain bleed on January 31 which she, nor her family, initially mistook for a severe headache.
"She was loved, she was liked," Dhima Martin, Symaria's mother, recounted in sentiments shared with WSVN. The family's life took an unexpected turn when Symaria was declared brain dead at Memorial Regional Hospital, in Hollywood. Facing the irreparable, the family chose to donate her organs, turning their personal tragedy into a beacon of hope for others.
Symaria's kidneys, among other organs, were donated, with one of them being received by her father, Shawn Glenn. Glenn, who had been on the organ donor list since 2020 due to kidney failure, described his daughter as "unbelievably perfect" and expressed pride in what she accomplished, according to WSVN. "She said I was her protector, and now she's my hero," said Shawn.
An honor walk was held at Memorial Regional Hospital in February, celebrating Symaria's life as her loved ones and hospital staff paid tribute from the intensive care unit to the operating room. Striking a poignant chord, Martin explained the decision to donate: "Her body was just that, a body," she said. "She had went on to heaven at that point. Why not save someone else’s child, someone else’s life?" as reported by the Miami Herald. Emphasizing her faith and the legacy of her daughter, Martin found solace in the impact Symaria's gift would have. "She gets to save lives, she gets to save Dad's life, and she gets to be home with him," said Martin.
The lives touched by Symaria's final gift spread beyond just her father, extending to five other recipients across the United States who received her life-saving organs. This tragic story underscores the remarkable difference organ donation can make, as one family's darkest moment is transformed into a source of light for others in dire need.
