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It is perhaps her final act of grace: 17-year-old Bella Trezza — a beacon of light to so many during her short life — has become a symbol of hope and renewal, saving three lives through organ donation after succumbing to injuries from a tragic car crash that has devastated her community.
LiveOnNY confirmed on Friday that after an emotional honor walk at Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip, the Babylon teen’s kidneys and liver were successfully transplanted, giving hope to three recipients in New York City, Maryland and Massachusetts.
Two women in their 30s received Trezza’s kidneys, and a man in his 60s received her liver, according to LiveOnNY, an organization dedicated to promoting organ and tissue donation.
“These three recipients and Bella will now Live On,” Leonard Achan, president and CEO of LiveOnNY, said in a statement. “LiveOnNY is humbled to be the stewards of Bella’s precious gifts of life. We extend our deepest condolences to Bella’s family, friends, loved ones and the community.”
Trezza died Thursday night, nearly five days after she was gravely injured in car wreck in West Babylon that also claimed two other lives. She was driving a vehicle that was struck by another car just after 1 a.m. on Saturday at the intersection of Railroad Avenue and Great East Neck Road, police said.
Police reported that 33-year-old Michael Desmond, of Lindenhurst, ran a red light and collided with Bella’s vehicle. Desmond was pronounced dead at the scene.
Trezza was traveling with four passengers in her car, including Riley Goot, 18, of Babylon, who succumbed to his injuries shortly after the crash.
Trezza’s brother Austin remains hospitalized with serious injuries. Jack Murphy, 18, of Babylon, and Anthony Pagliuca, 16, of West Babylon, were also injured and continue to receive treatment in the hospital.
A senior at St. John the Baptist High School in West Islip, Trezza had aspired to become a nurse. Family and friends called her “a bright light,” summing up her vibrant personality and zest for life.
A touching tribute to Trezza was posted on a GoFundMe campaign page created earlier this week to help her family.
“Fly High Beautiful Bella. Bella was a bright light in this world, full of kindness and an enormous heart. Even in her passing, she continues to give, having donated her organs —the ultimate gift of life to others in need,” reads the tribute, posted by family friend and the page’s organizer, Gina Giacchetto.
“Her selflessness will live on, touching the lives of many, just as she touched ours,” Giacchetto continued. “Bella will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. ️Please keep this family in your prayers. Austin is making small steps to a journey to recovery and this is one of the main focuses the Trezza family has at this time as they have a long road ahead of them.”
The support from the community for the Trezza family has been enormous. More than 3,000 donations have poured into the GoFundMe campaign, totalling more than $200,000.
Top photo: Bella Trezza, 17, of Babylon died Thursday from injuries she suffered in a car crash on Sept. 21 in West Babylon.
