College student dies after allergic reaction to brownie from friend

Hannah Glass, a compassionate 19-year-old college student, tragically lost her life after eating a brownie containing peanut flour. Her story serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of food allergies and the importance of vigilance.

Hannah Glass had just celebrated her 19th birthday two days earlier when her life was cut short by an unexpected allergic reaction to a homemade brownie. The freshman at Maranatha Baptist University in Wisconsin was known for her careful approach to managing her peanut allergy. However, a hidden ingredient in the treat—roasted peanut flour—proved fatal after just two bites.

“The second bite, she knew something was wrong,” said David Glass, Hannah’s father. The brownie had been brought to her dorm by a friend, unaware it contained the allergen. The treat had been made with peanut flour as a gluten-free alternative, an ingredient that may have masked its peanut content.

A swift and devastating reaction

Hannah experienced an aggressive reaction almost immediately, vomiting and breaking out in hives. She took Benadryl to try to manage the symptoms and climbed into her top bunk to rest. But the situation worsened rapidly.

“When Hannah rolled on her side, the anaphylaxis reaction that we had not seen before hit incredibly hard,” her father wrote in a Facebook post. The reaction caused her to gasp for breath, which led to her right lung collapsing.

Hannah managed to climb down from her bed but collapsed before her EpiPen could be administered. Her father, who had driven 45 minutes from their home to her campus with her mother, carried his unresponsive daughter outside to wait for the ambulance.

Paramedics arrived and worked tirelessly to revive her, but Hannah’s heart had stopped for four minutes. She was rushed to Watertown Hospital and later transferred to Froedtert Hospital, where she was placed on a ventilator.

A family’s heartbreaking goodbye

Despite the efforts of medical professionals, Hannah suffered severe brain damage due to prolonged oxygen deprivation. “The majority of her brain was unmistakably, critically, and terminally damaged,” David Glass shared, recounting the devastating moments as doctors confirmed there was no hope for recovery.

On November 10, 2024, Hannah’s family made the difficult decision to honor her final wish: to donate her organs. A traditional “Honor Walk” was held as she was taken to the operating room, with 300 people lining the hospital hallways to pay their respects.

“It seemed like an endless walk, yet it was also going too quickly,” her father wrote.

Hannah’s organs have already saved four lives, a powerful legacy of hope amidst the tragedy.

A call for food allergy awareness

Now grieving the loss of their beloved daughter, Hannah’s parents are urging others to take food allergies seriously.

“Always be aware. Make sure your EpiPens are up to date,” David emphasized in a Facebook post. The Glass family hopes Hannah’s story will remind others of the importance of being cautious and informed when it comes to food allergies.

Hannah’s family recently brought home her cremated remains, a bittersweet moment of closure. “It is good to have her home,” her father reflected, though the loss remains immeasurable.

Hannah Glass was a vibrant, kind-hearted young woman whose memory lives on in the lives she saved and the countless hearts she touched. Her tragic death highlights the fragility of life and the vital need for awareness around food allergies.

As her parents continue to grieve, they hold on to the hope that Hannah’s story will inspire change and save lives.