SWEET HOME, Ore. — A 15-year-old Sweet Home High School student suffered a severe head injury in a football game last week.
According to a fundraiser for Mason Flores’ family, he was hit in the head while playing in a Sweet Home High School Football home game.
Mason was flown to a Portland-area hospital in a LifeFlight helicopter ambulance, where he was diagnosed with a brain bleed. The family said they exhausted all options on treatment.
“Mason is undergoing preparation to give the gift of life to other families through organ donation,” said Sweet Home School District Superintendent Terry Martin. “Our deepest sympathies, love, and prayers remain with his mother, his family, and everyone who holds him dear.”
The family said they want to focus on the life, love, and legacy of Mason moving forward.
“Mason was never meant to be remembered only for how his life ended. He deserves to be remembered for how he lived,” family members said.
The school district said they will have councilors and support staff on-hand through the week for students and staff members. People can also find help at:
- Linn County Crisis Services | 541-967-3866 or 800-307-7468 (press 1)
- Linn County Mental Health | 541-367-3888 or 800-735-2900
- YouthLine | Call, 877-968-8491 – Text, teen2teen to 839863 or go online by tapping here
The school said it will hold its homecoming ceremonies as planned, while also honoring Mason’s memory by celebrating “life, joy, and community.”
“Mason brought immense light, warmth, and laughter to our school. He loved football, loved making people smile, and cared deeply about ensuring everyone around him felt loved and included,” Martin said. “His family asked our community to make a promise to Mason—to keep living, to laugh louder, to love our people fiercely, to make memories, and to cheer from the sidelines.”
Dutch Bros. Coffee held a fundraiser over the weekend to help support Mason’s family. The football team shared this gofundme.com link as a way to support the family.
Source: katu.com
