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Lutherville Organ Donor Provides the Gift of Life

BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- A Lutherville man who died after a brutal beating in Ocean City last may, lives on through others.

Ryan Shupert's choice to be an organ donor is being honored by doctors.

Doctors say Shupert is a great example of how one person can save many lives and as we found out, his spirit of sacrifice started is what he was known for.

At just 31 years old, Ryan Shupert's promising life was cut short by violence. In November, the man accused in the deadly beating, Darren Beattie, was found guilty of manslaughter. But Shupert's story does not end with his death.

"It's a good example of one person giving the most precious gift to many strangers to save their lives," said Dr. Paul Thuluvath of Mercy Medical Center.

Shupert signed up as an organ donor on his driver's license and his parents honored his request. Saving the lives of six people he never met. His heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys saved three women, a man and a 3-year-old boy.

One organ recipient, Jane Morelend, had four cancerous tumors in her liver and needed a transplant.

"When I got the phone call I was there the next the morning bright and early," said Morelend.

Morelend thanked Shupert's parents face-to-face at Mercy Medical Center.

Doctors here tell WJZ, every year, thousands of patients in the U.S. wait for organ donations. Many die waiting.

"God knows we need those organs here. Don't take them with you," said Dr. Anurag Maheshwari, Mercy Hepatologist.

"He was a wonderful son," said Carolyn Shupert.

This isn't the first time Shupert gave the gift of life. While living, he donated part of his liver to his mother.

"I was very sick and we were the same blood type and we matched. He just came to me and said he would take care of me. He did," she said.

The family is grateful their son's memory lives on through others.

"We have the tragedy but to know that others live, I actually live because of him," said Carolyn.

Doctors say they hope Shupert's story raises awareness about organ donation.They say recently the numbers have not kept up with demand.

Darren Beatie is still awaiting his sentence for killing Ryan Shupert.

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