Pryor died Tuesday morning after suffering a sudden, non-traumatic brain hemorrhage Monday afternoon in his Irvine home. He was taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana, where he was put on life support until he died the next morning.
Firefighters and family stayed by his side through Tuesday night, when surgeons recovered his organs.
“Kevin was the quintessential fireman. Always willing to put others above himself. It is fitting that he saved seven lives upon leaving us,” said Jeff Boyles, president of the firefighter association. “Our firefighters are in extreme pain but are taking comfort in knowing that others are alive today because of Kevin.”
Nearly 20,000 people in California are waiting for organs; 75% of them need kidneys, according to Onelegacy. Pryor’s donation is all the more remarkable because fewer than 1% of all deaths occur under circumstances allowing for organ donation, officials said.
Boyles is close with Pryor’s family and said they are extremely proud of him and his choice to donate. In the end though, surgeons required his parents’ approval.
“It’s an incredible gesture to someone else. To make that decision is an incredible thing,” Mais said. “I’ve met the family. I was at the hospital and saw what was going on. I was incredibly amazed at that [decision] and the whole family and how they conducted themselves through this tragic, tragic event. To think of donating organs, I can’t even describe it.”
