Basking Ridge 10-Year-Old Boy Dies From Brain Rupture

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A Basking Ridge "hero mom" will bury her 10-year-old son after he suffered a rare brain rupture that caused complications leading to his death.

Connor Nemes died on Tuesday, but it was three weeks ago when he suffered the rupture. He was miraculously recovering from an episode that is usually fatal, his loved ones explained on an online fundraising page aimed to raise money for medical and funeral expenses.

His mother "used her fast-acting mom and nurse skills to contribute to the early interventions that gave him a fighting chance," said Nicole Colline, who created the GoFundMe page to help her best friend get back on her feet after the tragedy. Colline describes Connor's mother, Alaina, as a "hero mom."

Sadly, Connor developed fast-acting pneumonia while hospitalized. It spread to his bloodstream, causing sepsis. He was admitted to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia but due to lack of oxygen from multi-system organ failure, his brain suffered.

Connor's parents then made "the hardest decision of their lives which was to end Connor's suffering and chose to save the lives of other children by donating Connor's organs," Colline explained on the page.

Now, loved ones are mourning a boy who, in his 10 years, "touched more lives than most of us will in the seven or eight decades we are given."

Colline set a goal to raise $50,000 to help cover medical bills, which included three weeks in the intensive care unit at various hospitals and a helicopter transfer to CHOP. Funds will also help with funeral costs and help get her and her daughter, Brianna, a Ridge High School student, back on their feet.

"Alaina, a single mother, has been out of work this whole time, and quite frankly deserves time with her daughter to heal and find a 'new normal' once life calms down," Colline wrote. "Any help you can give is much appreciated."

To donate to Connor's Crew click here.

(Image via GoFundMe, a Patch promotional partner)

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