A family from the RM of Piney was able to take part in a Christmas miracle this past year when their dying son was able to save someone else’s life through a liver transplant. This is their story.

On December 18th, eight-year-old Tyler Neufeld suffered an extreme choking episode during his school day at Ross L. Gray School in Sprague. His mother, Megan, says she got a call from the school at 11:00 AM informing her that the paramedics were on their way to deal with the emergency situation.

“When I got to the school they were performing CPR on my son: he had gone into cardiac arrest.”

According to Megan, the school principal had acted quickly and was able to momentarily resuscitate Tyler even before EMS crews arrived. When paramedics did arrive on scene, they immediately took Tyler and his mom into their ambulance and began toward the nearest hospital.

“Then my son flat-lined again, for over half an hour and we stayed at the side of the highway for almost an hour getting Tyler to breathe again.” Once he was re-stabilized, STARS air ambulance intercepted him and brought him to hospital where he soon relapsed back into critical condition.

“He went for a few tests and we found out that the swelling in his brain from the lack of oxygen was too severe for him to overcome.”

Tyler was well loved wherever he went (Photo credit Meg Neufeld)

Tyler endured another series of tests but nevertheless, on December 23rd he was declared brain dead.

Tyler’s heart stopped on Christmas Eve and his parents began the process of donating his organs. At this point, another family from Toronto was informed that their own kid would be able to receive the liver that was necessary to save their life.

On Christmas Day, a successful transplant took place, effectively saving this other child’s life.

“Honestly I’m lost for words…” says Tyler’s father Kevin Neufeld, “my son could give somebody a special Christmas gift that they’ll never forget.”

This was the photo included on Tyler's obituary (Photo credit: Megan Neufeld)

Both of Tyler’s parents view the eight years they did have with their son as a huge blessing. “It was a miracle that Tyler even came into this world," explains Megan, "He was born with down syndrome, he had kidney issues, he wasn’t supposed to survive an early open heart surgery, and he had a whole bunch of other medical problems [upon birth]… so for him to be able to give this gift was amazing.”

Tyler and his parents were frequent guests at Steinbach Community Outreach and Megan says everyone enjoyed the brightness her son brought to the room. "Wherever he went, people loved him."

Megan implores residents of southeastern Manitoba to make the necessary arrangments for their organs to be donated. "Do not be scared of filling out your donor card, it could save a child's life."

Tyler’s story was shared to over 200 people at his funeral this past Saturday at Transcona Memorial United Church in Winnipeg.

On Tuesday, January 15th, another memorial service was held at his school in Sprague for fellow students and teachers who will also miss him dearly.

“Tyler was a fighter to the end,” says Kevin, “and to this day that’s how I’ll think of him.”