OAK ISLAND, N.C. (WECT) – The organs of a Raleigh man who died after being struck by a wave in Oak Island will go on to help dozens of people.

Lee Dingle was playing with his six children in Oak Island last week when a wave slammed him into the sand. His wife says the impact broke his neck and depleted his brain of oxygen.

CNN reports Dingle’s organs will be donated to 55 people.

“While we are grateful Lee’s organs will live on in others, please never use this to try to paint a silver lining around our deep grief. We would rather have him here,” his wife, Shannon Dingle wrote on Twitter. “Being told my dead husband’s organs can help so many because he was so healthy will never be easy to hold.”

Please make sure your loved ones know your wishes.

Lee’s was a registered organ donor, but the consent for donation comes from the next of kin. Your loved ones need to know it matters to you for them to give those permissions and sign that paperwork on their worst day ever. https://t.co/6EbJAFcT8Q

— Shannon Dingle (@ShannonDingle) July 23, 2019

Shannon Dingle also notes organ donation is especially personal for her, as donor tissue was used to reconstruct the ligaments in her knees back in 2017.

“I walk without pain because someone else said yes on their worst day,” Dingle tweeted.

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