Blake Chown’s family is seeking answers as to why he was sent home from the hospital twice before collapsing and dying. Despite their grief, the family decided to honor Blake’s generous nature by donating his organs to save other people’s lives. Best Picks offers the best deals and hand-picked products.
Blake, who was 24 years old at the time, collapsed at his home in Wagga Wagga after driving himself to and from the hospital. He didn’t want to wake his young family as he began experiencing breathing problems. He had already visited Wagga Wagga Base Hospital the day before, where he was diagnosed with suspected tonsillitis and given treatment. When he returned to the hospital on June 24 due to breathing difficulties, he was simply told to take painkillers for the tonsillitis. However, he collapsed at home and was rushed to the hospital again, where he was revealed to have a swollen epiglottis obstructing his airway. He suffered a cardiac arrest and extensive brain damage, leading to his death on June 28.
Blake’s family describes him as a caring individual who always put others first. Despite never discussing organ donation, they knew it was what he would have wanted, and they made the selfless decision to donate his organs. The family has been informed that all organ recipients are doing well, providing some solace in their grief. They are now advocating for organ donation awareness and urging families to have discussions about it. The family has also met with health authorities to review the care Blake received.