Hannah Glass, a 19-year-old college freshman from Wisconsin, tragically passed away after suffering a severe allergic reaction to a brownie she received from a friend. Despite her known peanut allergy, the treat contained roasted peanut flour, an ingredient used as a gluten-free alternative, which ultimately led to her untimely death.
Stock photo of brownie. Credit / Shutterstock
The Heartbreaking Incident
On November 5, 2024, just two days after celebrating her 19th birthday, Hannah bit into a homemade brownie given to her by a friend. While she had always been careful about her peanut allergy, she didn’t know that the brownie was made with roasted peanut flour, which triggered a violent reaction. Within moments of taking her second bite, Hannah realized something was terribly wrong.
Her father, David Glass, recalled the shocking moment when his daughter started to experience symptoms. She began vomiting and developed hives. Despite using Benadryl to relieve the symptoms, things quickly worsened. As she attempted to climb back into bed, her condition escalated rapidly, and she suffered from severe anaphylaxis, causing her lungs to collapse.
The Battle for Her Life
David described the terrifying moments that followed: “When Hannah rolled on her side, the reaction hit incredibly hard. This caused her to gasp for breath, leading to her lung collapsing.” He continued, “I picked Hannah up and carried her outside to wait for the ambulance to arrive.” Despite the swift response from paramedics, Hannah’s heart stopped for four minutes.
She was rushed to Watertown Hospital, then transferred to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, where she was placed on a ventilator. Doctors worked tirelessly to save her life, but the damage was too severe. Unfortunately, her brain had suffered catastrophic damage due to multiple seizures and severe brain swelling.
The Emotional Goodbye
Despite the medical team’s best efforts, Hannah’s brain was terminally damaged, leaving her with no hope of recovery. Her family made the heart-wrenching decision to say goodbye to their beloved daughter. On November 10, 2024, Hannah was honored with an Honor Walk, where around 300 people lined the hospital corridor to pay tribute as she was taken for organ donation.
David shared his emotional experience: “It seemed like an endless walk, yet it was also going too quickly.” The decision to donate her organs saved the lives of four individuals who were in desperate need of transplants, creating a powerful legacy of giving even in the face of unimaginable grief.
A Legacy of Awareness and Action
In the days following her death, David Glass expressed a sense of disbelief and sorrow in his social media posts. “Having now, this physical, tangible, memorial of her physical life and body is nice, in one sense, because we now have something to see and to ‘hold on to,’ but it is also very sad because this is certainly not the same relationship that we had before,” he wrote.
Hannah’s parents continue to advocate for food allergy awareness, urging others to be vigilant. David emphasized, “Always be aware. Make sure your EpiPens are up to date.”
A Final Tribute to Her Spirit
Though her life was tragically cut short, Hannah’s story has made a lasting impact. Her decision to donate her organs has saved multiple lives, and her parents’ advocacy for food allergy awareness continues to educate others. Through her act of kindness and the love of her family, Hannah’s spirit lives on in the lives she touched.
For more stories about food allergy awareness and other important topics, check out the following articles:
- Pope Francis’ Heartbreaking Final Gesture to His Nurse Before Death
- Pope Francis Describes Death as a New Beginning Before His Passing
These articles provide further insights into the lives of public figures who have made a profound impact, just as Hannah Glass did through her final selfless act.
