Donor Parents to Represent Donor Network West at Reno Aces’ Final Home Run for Life Game August 7

RENO, Nev. — The Thompson-Crew family will honor the life of their 8-year-old son Griffin and represent Donor Network West as the Reno Aces’ final Home Run for Life participant Friday, Aug. 7. Griffin, a kindhearted 8-year-old boy, made the decision to become an organ donor just days before he passed unexpectedly, giving the gift of life to three individuals through his selfless decision.

Griffin was a bright, endlessly kind child who loved animals and dinosaurs, rattling off animal facts for hours and making friends with everyone he met. Born with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, Griffin lived with airway complications and underwent airway surgery but rarely let it slow him down.

“Griffin was too good for this world and we would joke that we didn’t know where he came from because he was exceptionally kindhearted,” said mom Veronica Thompson-Crew. “He would go out of his way to help anyone. Once, he cleaned up a mess left by other students so the school janitor wouldn’t have extra work to do and the students wouldn’t get in trouble. Griffin was truly a kind soul.”

Griffin’s connection to Donor Network West began on a school field trip to a Reno Aces game. On the way out of the game, his family crossed paths with the Donor Network West team. After learning more about organ donation, Griffin decided to become an organ donor while accompanying his parents to the DMV a couple of days later to receive a children’s identification card. Griffin was popularly quoted as saying, “nature’s nature” and understood the impact organ donation could have on others.

Just 36 hours later, Griffin was rushed to the hospital and later diagnosed with parainfluenza, which stopped his heart. He was unable to be resuscitated for 40 minutes, despite the efforts of his moms, first responders and emergency room staff. On what would have been Griffin’s ninth birthday, his family held his honor walk. Friends, family, school staff, physicians and more lined the halls as Griffin made his final journey to donation surgery.

“On the worst day of our lives, we knew there was still some good that could come from his unexpected passing. Through organ donation, Griffin donated both kidneys, his pancreas and liver and was able to save three lives, which included two young children,” said Angie, Griffin’s mom. “Organ donation doesn’t ease the suffering or the sadness, but it does bring some light during a tremendously dark time.”

Presented by Donor Network West—northern Nevada’s only federally designated nonprofit organ procurement organization—the game will take place at 6:35 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, at Greater Nevada Field as the Reno Aces take on the El Paso Chihuahuas.

“Griffin’s story is a powerful reminder that the decision to become an organ donor can happen in an instant, but its impact lasts a lifetime,” said Janice F. Whaley, Ph.D., president and CEO of Donor Network West. “His generosity, even amid unimaginable loss, has already given three families more time together. We are honored to celebrate Griffin’s life and his family’s courage through Home Run for Life.”

Four times per season, the Home Run for Life game series honors a northern Nevada community member who has either received a life-saving transplant, lost a loved one who gave the gift of life through donation or helped provide support and healing to those impacted by organ, eye and tissue donation.

“We’re continually grateful for the support and partnership with Donor Network West,” said Reno Aces President Eric Edelstein. “Through this organization, we’re able to honor remarkable northern Nevada individuals and families like Griffin’s, who gave the gift of life through organ, eye and tissue donation.”

Community members are encouraged to consider the impact of organ, eye and tissue donation and take action by joining the registry as organ donors. For more information on how to register as a donor, visit DonorNetworkWest.org.

— ACES —