When Hannah Glass chose to indulge in a homemade brownie, she had no idea that just days later, her parents would be collecting her cremated remains. The college student had always been vigilant about her peanut allergy, but there was something concealed in the delicious treat that took her life after just two bites.
Hannah had celebrated her 19th birthday only two days prior.
A community in Wisconsin is grieving the tragic loss of Hannah Glass, a bright and caring freshman at Maranatha Baptist University, who sadly passed away due to an unforeseen allergic reaction to a brownie.
On November 5, the young woman, who had just turned 19 two days earlier, experienced a severe reaction after eating a brownie given to her by a friend. The teenager was aware of her peanut allergy and typically exercised caution, but she was unaware that the sweet treat contained roasted peanut flour, an ingredient often used as a gluten-free substitute.
“The second bite, she realized something was wrong,” Hannah’s father, David Glass, shared with WISN. He went on to explain that her friend had brought the brownie from a women’s group on campus, and while it was made with peanut flour to cater to gluten-free students, it failed to consider those with serious peanut allergies.
“We believe that because this product had roasted peanut flour, distinct from oily peanut butter, it masked the danger,” David continued, as he and Hannah’s mother, Janean, hurried about 45 minutes from their home in Milton, Wisconsin, to the school residence in Watertown.
‘Right lung collapsed’
Hannah reacted with aggression and immediacy. Her father recounts that she had vomited, developed hives, and found some relief after taking Benadryl.
However, when she climbed up to her top bunk to rest, her condition took a severe turn.
“When Hannah turned onto her side, the anaphylactic reaction that we had never witnessed before hit her with incredible force. This made her gasp for air, resulting in the lung collapsing, which worsened the situation,” the heartbroken father shared in a Facebook post on November 11.
At that moment, Hannah descended the ladder from her bed and lost consciousness “part way down” – just before her EpiPen was used.
“I lifted Hannah up…and carried her outside to wait for the ambulance to come,” the father wrote. “She was entirely unresponsive, and I felt utterly helpless.”
When paramedics arrived, they worked diligently to revive her, but Hannah’s heart had stopped for four minutes. She was quickly taken to Watertown Hospital and then transferred to Froedtert Hospital, where she was put on a ventilator.
Brain ‘terminally damaged’
Her family watched in despair as doctors struggled to save her life, but the injuries were too extensive.
“The majority of her brain was clearly, severely, critically, and without life-support measures, TERMINALLY damaged,” David shared on Facebook regarding the brain injury she suffered after experiencing multiple seizures, which resulted in “severe brain swelling.”
“There were no discussions about quality of life or anything similar. It was purely a matter of life and death!”
Despite the relentless dedication of the medical team, Hannah’s brain endured critical damage that left no hope for recovery.
‘Endless walk’
Before Hannah said her final farewell on November 10, 2024, she was honored with a traditional “Honor Walk,” a heartfelt tribute as she was escorted to the operating room for organ donation.
Approximately 300 people lined the hallway for the walk, with her family by her side until their “final goodbye.”
“It felt like an unending journey, yet it also seemed to pass too swiftly,” David expressed.
‘It’s wonderful to have her back home’
“We went to collect Hannah’s cremated remains. It’s a peculiar blend of feelings. There’s still a profound sense of disbelief,” David noted in a Facebook post dated November 22, 2024. “Now that we have this physical, tangible memorial of her life and body, it’s comforting in a way, as we have something to see and ‘hold on to,’ but it’s also incredibly sorrowful because this isn’t the same relationship we once had. However, it is indeed good to have her back home.”
Now her parents are urging those with food allergies to “Always stay vigilant. Ensure your EpiPens are current,” David mentioned.
Hannah’s organs have already given life to four individuals who were in dire need of transplants.
Hannah Glass’s story serves as a touching reminder of life’s fragility and the critical need for food allergy awareness. Her legacy continues not only through the lives she has saved but also in the hearts of those who cherished and loved her.
