Dylan Harvey

Tissue recipient

Age 19 – Phoenix, AZ

Honored by AxoGen, Inc.

Dylan was a sophomore in high school when he was involved in a serious motorcycle accident. Critically injured, he spent several weeks in the ICU undergoing multiple surgeries to repair injuries of his left arm and right leg. Once stabilized, however, Dylan discovered he was unable to move most of his left arm. The accident had caused significant nerve damage. Physicians believed that Dylan might never regain use of his arm, and they mentioned he might need amputation. While searching for other options, Dylan’s family found a physician who could help. In the summer of 2015, Dylan underwent surgery to repair his nerve damage, and his damaged nerve tissue was replaced with donated tissue. Thanks to a donor’s ultimate gift of tissue donation, Dylan’s nerves regenerated, restoring function and sensation to his left arm. Today Dylan has full use and sensation of both arms. He is an active 19 year old who loves to rebuild cars, helps his father run an electronics business, and is currently pursuing acting and film making classes.

Dylan’s Story

Dylan was a sophomore in high school in March 2015 when he was involved in a serious motorcycle accident. Critically injured, he spent several weeks in the ICU undergoing multiple surgeries to repair internal injuries and compound fractures of his left arm and right leg. Once stabilized, however, Dylan discovered he was unable to move his left arm from the shoulder down. The impact of the accident had caused significant damage to the nerves in his brachial plexus, a network of nerves between the neck and the shoulder that control the muscles of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand as well as provide feeling to the arm.

Several physicians told the family that Dylan would likely never regain use of his arm and the best option may be amputation. The Harvey family searched for other options, and it was five months before they found a physician who said he could help.

In late August of 2015, Dylan underwent surgery to repair damage to the nerves in his brachial plexus. Surgeons replaced the damaged nerve tissue with processed nerve allograft. The surgery was possible because of a stranger whose last generous act, the gift of tissue donation, allowed Dylan’s nerves to regenerate, restoring function and sensation to his left arm.

Today Dylan has full use and sensation of his left arm. He is an active 19 year old who loves to rebuild cars, helps his father run an electronics business, and is currently pursuing acting and film making classes.

Dylan and his family are deeply grateful to the gracious donor who helped him in his time of great need.