A kind gesture turned into a devastating tragedy when Hannah Glass, a college freshman, suffered a fatal allergic reaction after eating a brownie. The incident underscores the critical importance of allergy awareness and vigilance when it comes to hidden ingredients.

Hannah, a freshman at Maranatha Baptist University, had a well-documented peanut allergy. On November 4, 2024, a friend from her women’s group on campus gave her a brownie made with roasted peanut flour, unaware of its deadly implications. What was intended as a gluten-free treat quickly became a life-threatening mistake. “The second bite, she knew something was wrong,” her father, David Glass, recounted.

Immediately after consuming the brownie, Hannah experienced severe allergic symptoms, including vomiting and hives. Despite promptly using her EpiPen and taking Benadryl, her condition rapidly worsened. Within moments, her right lung collapsed a rare and extreme complication of anaphylaxis, leaving her fighting for her life.

Paramedics arrived to find Hannah in critical condition. During the emergency response, her heart stopped for four minutes. She was rushed to Watertown Hospital before being transferred to Froedtert Hospital for advanced care. Tragically, Hannah suffered seizures and extensive brain swelling, leaving her with little chance of recovery.

Five days after the incident, her parents made the agonizing decision to remove her from life support. “The majority of her brain was unmistakably, critically, and terminally damaged,” her family shared in a heartfelt Facebook post. To honor her legacy, the family chose to donate her organs, ultimately saving four lives.

Hannah’s funeral at Calvary Baptist Church drew over 1,000 attendees who celebrated her life. Known for her kind spirit and dedication to her church and studies, her passing has left an irreplaceable void in her community. A fundraiser on GiveSendGo has since raised more than $28,000 to support her grieving family.

This tragedy is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by food allergies and the importance of heightened awareness. Hannah’s family emphasized the need to keep EpiPens current and to be vigilant about hidden allergens. “We want to prevent other families from enduring the same pain,” her father said.

Hannah’s story continues to inspire her community and serves as a sobering lesson about the unpredictability of severe allergies. Her life and legacy are a beacon of hope and a call for greater understanding and preparation to prevent similar tragedies in the future.