The family of a tween boy in Arizona are choosing to celebrate his life in the midst of unspeakable tragedy. Dylan Skalina enjoyed a typical Halloween experience. He went trick-or-treating with his friends, which is something he had a really good time doing, but shortly afterward, he collapsed. That was the last time his family saw him alive. Sadly, by the next day, the boy lost his life due to an unexpected brain aneurysm. Even though they are in mourning, his family is speaking out about the importance of paying it forward as they donate his organs.
Shortly after he and his friends finished trick-or-treating, 12-year-old Dylan collapsed, his family told KPNX. His family rushed him to Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and doctors discovered a brain bleed.
“Despite the best efforts of the doctors at Phoenix Children’s hospital, blood flow could not be restored to his brain, he was put into a medically induced coma, and sadly he is not expected to survive,” a GoFundMe fundraiser set up for the family explained.
Dylan died on November 1, 2025.
His mom, Megan, told KPNX that Dylan lived with both type 1 diabetes and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The latter is a connective tissue disorder the family believes caused the muscles inside his brain to hyperextend. It’s likely that this led to the deadly aneurysm.
“He was so loved,” Megan said. “I knew we were loved, but I didn’t realize how strong of a bond he had with all of his friends.” She explained that many of Dylan’s friends showed up at the hospital, holding vigils at his bedside before his death.
Even though they will never fully recover from the loss, the family is finding comfort in their decision to donate the boy’s organs. His pancreas will be used for diabetes research, something he was very passionate about.
“He used to joke that he had a ‘bum pancreas,’” the mom shared with KPNX. “But now they can use it to help find a cure for Type 1 diabetes — one of his biggest goals in life.”
In addition to his pancreas, Dylan’s other organs and tissues will be donated. Doctors estimate that he could help improve the lives of more than 300 people.
On November 4, the family and friends of Dylan Skalina had an “honor walk.” It’s a solemn walk through the hospital hallways where friends, family, and hospital staff honor an organ donor. His family hopes that others follow their example in choosing organ and tissue donation.
“It’s so important to him,” Megan Skalina said. “I know he’s watching and realizes how many people he’s going to help.”
