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Meriden Man Saves 2 Lives Through Organ Donation
May 06, 2020
Richard Reale was a lifelong resident of Meriden — known to many as Ricky. A craftsman, who worked in the field of construction and carpentry, he’s described by his family as an amazing athlete who excelled at everything.
“He always had the brightest smile on his face no matter what,” said John Reale, his brother. “It was just infectious.”
On April 27, Richard Reale was wrapping up his day at a construction site in New Britain. His family says he began to complain about feeling dizzy and then collapsed suddenly. Colleagues at the job site started CPR. Reale was eventually taken to The Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain.
“Neurological tests revealed that he had a brain aneurysm and it burst,” said John Reale.
Sadly, there was nothing the medical staff could do to reverse the effects, and Reale was eventually declared brain dead. But the 48-year-old was kept on life support because he was an organ donor. New England Donor Services (NEDS) then stepped in to make sure that Reale’s wishes were carried out and that his family was cared for throughout the process.
“The families have an opportunity to not just say goodbye, but know that their loved one is living on through someone else or multiple people,” said Heather Harris, hospital relations coordinator for NEDS.
On April 30, Reale was transported out of the ICU and taken to another part of the hospital in preparation for the organ donation. Employees lined the hallways, taking part in an “honor walk” as a tribute to Reale. Medical staff later joined the family outside to raise the Donate Life flag, a tradition that honors those who’ve passed away and donate their organs.
“It was the most beautiful thing I ever saw and it almost made things right,” said Richard Reale, the donor’s father.
Reale’s two children, Hunter and Blaise, helped raise the flag in their dad’s honor.
“To see him celebrated by so many people there, we couldn’t ask for anything more,” said John Reale.
According to New England Donor Services, Reale’s donation was able to save two lives. His liver was successful transplanted to a man in his 50s. One of his kidneys went to a man in his 60s.
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