Gift of life: Family says Selden teen Robert Bush saved 3 lives as an organ donor
Robert Bush's family says the 17-year-old will save three lives in the wake of his passing.
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The 17-year-old Selden teen who died after collapsing during football practice is being remembered as a hero for donating his organs.
Robert Bush was on life support after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest on Monday at Newfield High School. Doctors declared Robert clinically dead on Friday.
His family says the teen will save three lives in the wake of his passing.
"We just found out moments ago he's helping a 60-year-old female in Massachusetts, a 60-year-old female in New Jersey and a 50-year-old female here in New York. Surgery's just completed now," Steve Bush said.
More than 200 people from Bush's hometown gathered outside Stony Brook University Hospital Friday night. That's when an honor walk took place on the fourth floor of the hospital moments before his organs were harvested.
Steve Bush said giving the gift of life is something his younger brother would have wanted.
Robert Bush was one of 10 siblings. His father, Robert N. Bush, said his son was treasured from the time he was adopted in 2008.
"It's been a joy from that time forward. The saddest time we ever had with him is right now. There really have been no sad times. He was just a positive child," the elder Bush said.
A GoFundMe page set up to raise money for Bush's medical expenses had collected more than $24,000 as of Sunday.
The Bush family said they plan to use the money to set up scholarships for Newfield High School students in his memory.
Wake services for Bush will be held Tuesday and Wednesday at Giove Funeral Home in Selden. His funeral will be held Wednesday night.
The Bush family says he will be buried next to his mother at Pinelawn Memorial Park.
