Principal dies after donating bone marrow to child he never met

WESTFIELD, N.J. (WCMH) — A principal in New Jersey died after he donated his matching bone marrow to a child he never met. 

Students at Westfield High School say they will miss their principal, Dr. Derrick Nelson. 

“Even if you never even spoke a word with him, his impact was felt the moment you walked in as a freshman or the moment you left as a senior,” student Adam Holtzman told WABC.  

Nelson fell into a coma earlier this year after donating his bone marrow to a child in France. All because he was match with the child.  

Nelson was known as a leader in the school and the community who treated everyone fairly.  

“One custodian spoke about the fact; he looks at all of us the same. He saw all of us the same. So that respect came through,” Westfield Schools Superintendent, Dr. Margaret Dolan told WABC. 

Nelson is survived by his 6-year-old daughter, his fiancée and his parents.   

He’s also survived by the thousands of lives he touched.