Seventeen-year-old Thomas Carter, the son of Jenny Meyer, tragically lost his life following a drowning incident at a pool party in Wauzeka on Saturday night.
What began as a summer gathering quickly turned devastating when Thomas was pulled from the water without a pulse.
Local first responders arrived swiftly and worked alongside friends and family to revive him.
After intense efforts, Thomas’s heart started beating again. However, his condition remained critical, and he was immediately airlifted to UW Children’s Hospital in Madison for emergency care.
Doctors placed Thomas in a medically induced coma, but the damage was severe.
His heart had stopped for more than an hour, leaving him with significant brain injury.
Initial tests showed mild brain swelling, giving loved ones a glimmer of hope.
Unfortunately, the swelling worsened and led to a brain aneurysm, and doctors told the family to prepare for the worst.
In a moment no parent should ever face, Jenny made the heartbreaking decision to let her son go.
Surrounded by loved ones, they held on to Thomas as the final sign of brain activity faded away.
Even in his final moments, Thomas’s selfless spirit shone through. He had always expressed his wish to be an organ donor.
Honoring his wishes, Jenny is donating his organs to help others in need.
A medical team has been assigned to carefully collect his eight life-saving gifts, ensuring that Thomas lives on through those he saves.
“Some other mother won’t have to make the same decision because of Tommy,” a family member shared, highlighting his incredible generosity.
Jenny, a single mother of five, has spent the past week traveling back and forth between her home and the hospital—each trip lasting two hours.
The emotional and financial burden has grown heavier each day, with mounting medical bills, funeral expenses, and the pain of losing a child.
Family, friends, and community members have stepped in to support Jenny and her children during this unimaginable time.
A fundraising campaign has been launched to help cover funeral costs and support the family in the weeks and months ahead.
“💚It takes a village💚,” shared Kayla Beers.
“Prayers to his mom who lost their child, his siblings who lost a brother, his friends, his family, his class who lost a classmate, his teachers who lost yet another student too young, and the community.”
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Local businesses and community members have expressed their condolences and shared messages of love. Hideaway Bar & Grill shared,
“My heart is heavy tonight hearing about the tragic loss of a young boy who passed away in a drowning accident. My daughters went to school with him, and this truly hits close to home. There are no words for a loss like this—just prayers and love for his family, friends, and everyone hurting right now.”
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The community has shown how powerful love and unity can be during times of loss.
Through donations, prayers, and shared memories, they’re ensuring that Thomas Carter’s life and kindness will not be forgotten.
Thomas was known for his kind heart, sense of humor, and caring nature.
His family believes that his legacy will live on through the lives he saves and the people he touched.
As the Meyer family faces the difficult road ahead, their community continues to surround them with strength, compassion, and unwavering support.
