Bryce Autry was a vivacious six-year-old boy who was loved by his family, friends, teachers and classmates. He loved school and always helped others in his class. In March 2012, Bryce fell out of a wagon and stopped breathing. It was discovered that Bryce had Chiari malformation, a brain condition that can affect balance. Bryce fought for his life for five days before losing the battle. When his family was asked to donate Bryce's organs, tissue and corneas, they didn't hesitate. "Knowing the many ways Bryce has helped others has given us solace," said his father, Ian. "A friend of the family called Bryce a superhero, and he couldn't be more accurate. Bryce is, and always will be, our little Superhero."

Bryce's Story

Bryce Autry was a vivacious six-year-old boy who was loved by his family, friends, teachers and classmates. He loved school and always helped others in his class, such as helping a new student find his bus. He enjoyed playing outside and was just starting to learn how to play hockey. While looking back at pictures his family stated that they "have a hard time finding him without an ear-to-ear grin." He was a loving little boy who made sure to give his mom a hug and kiss every day before leaving for school.

On March 25, 2012, Bryce fell out of a wagon while playing outside with his siblings and stopped breathing. His father, Ian, started CPR and waited for the first responders to arrive. He was taken to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital where the doctors were stumped as to what happened. Bryce was then flown to Billings where an MRI revealed that he had a rare condition called Chiari malformation that had caused his brain to slip down into his spinal column. He was then airlifted to Seattle Children's Hospital. Bryce fought for his life for five days before losing the battle.

When his family was asked if they wanted to donate Bryce's organs, tissue and corneas, they didn't hesitate. Only a few years prior they had been through the process when their niece and Bryce's cousin, Gabby, also became a donor. The family knew that by giving the gift of life, others might not have to lose a loved one.

Since his passing, Bryce's family has learned the many ways he has touched people in life and death. Bryce was able to help a little boy in Colorado suffering from cardiomyopathy, a condition shared by Bryce's grandmother. Coincidentally, Gabby's heart went to Colorado as well. "We hope that maybe their hearts will someday know each other," said his dad, Ian.

Bryce also donated his liver to a little boy in Texas, a kidney to a little girl in Washington State, and another kidney to a man in New York. His corneas restored the sight of two people in Washington and California. Bryce's lungs were used in research to test new delivery methods for asthma medication. Both of Bryce's parents and his brother suffer from asthma, so in the future Bryce may help them.

"Knowing the many ways Bryce has helped others has given us solace," said Ian. "A friend of the family called Bryce a superhero, and he couldn't be more accurate. Through all that he has done and all that he continues to do, Bryce is, and always will be, our little Superhero."