Trumbull teen loses courageous battle with illness
Connecticut Post | Armanda Cuda
In 2010, Trumbull police officer Michael Gonzalez donated part of his liver to then fifteen-year-old Kyleigh Leos, the daughter of Trumbull police officer Jay Leos. Kyleigh, 18, died Tuesday July 9, 2013. Photo: Autumn Driscol
Kyleigh Leos battled illness her whole life. With her time dominated by surgeries, doctor visits and hospital stays, it was sometimes hard to find the chance to be a regular kid.
Yet she always seemed kind and upbeat, said Michael Gonzalez, the Trumbull police officer who donated part of his liver to Kyleigh three years ago.
"She was known as being happy and friendly," he said.
Leos, 18, of Trumbull, died Tuesday evening. Her father, Trumbull Police Officer Jay Leos, informed family and friends of her passing in a moving Facebook post: "After a long hard battle with sometimes enemies unknown our warrior has lost her battle here on earth."
Kyleigh Leos, who had attended Trumbull High School and wanted to be a zoologist, was born with biliary atresia, in which the liver's bile ducts do not develop properly. When she was 15, she needed a liver transplant. Her parents worked hard to find someone who was both a match for their daughter and willing to give up part of his or her own liver to help save Kyleigh's life. The solution ended up being close to home: Leos's fellow officer, Gonzalez, of Stratford, was a match for Kyleigh. In September of 2010, Gonzalez, 35, underwent surgery to have a piece of his liver donated to Kyleigh.
Kyleigh Leos battled illness her whole life. With her time dominated by surgeries, doctor visits and hospital stays, it was sometimes hard to find the chance to be a regular kid.
Yet she always seemed kind and upbeat, said Michael Gonzalez, the Trumbull police officer who donated part of his liver to Kyleigh three years ago.
"She was known as being happy and friendly," he said.
Leos, 18, of Trumbull, died Tuesday evening. Her father, Trumbull Police Officer Jay Leos, informed family and friends of her passing in a moving Facebook post: "After a long hard battle with sometimes enemies unknown our warrior has lost her battle here on earth."
Kyleigh Leos, who had attended Trumbull High School and wanted to be a zoologist, was born with biliary atresia, in which the liver's bile ducts do not develop properly. When she was 15, she needed a liver transplant. Her parents worked hard to find someone who was both a match for their daughter and willing to give up part of his or her own liver to help save Kyleigh's life. The solution ended up being close to home: Leos's fellow officer, Gonzalez, of Stratford, was a match for Kyleigh. In September of 2010, Gonzalez, 35, underwent surgery to have a piece of his liver donated to Kyleigh.
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To register as a donor TODAY
In California:
www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org | www.doneVIDAcalifornia.org
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www.organdonor.gov | www.donatelife.net
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