When Delinda Dryssen Fell Into a Real Life Coma, Her Second Life Friends Comforted Her Through a Laptop by Her ICU Bed; UPDATE: Delinda Has Died, Memorial Info Below

Friends of Delinda sing and chat in hopes she'll hear them through her coma

The real life woman behind Delinda Dryssen, a well-known and much beloved figure in Second Life, especially in the music scene, has recently fallen into a coma. (She has grave kidney troubles, and in recent months, has been traveling the world in search of a donor.) Since learning the news, her network of in-world friends rallied to support her tonight, at a benefit concert.  Here's how: A RL family friend sitting with Delinda in her hospital room created an avatar named Berry Blogger, and logged into SL, in the hopes that Delinda would hear the show, and regain some consciousness. Here's the extraordinary part: That seems to be working.

"[T]hey are streaming the show so she can hear it, since she is in a shallow coma and can probably hear it," Damaris Whitfield just told me. "The musicians are talking to her from the stage in addition to playing, and the audience is talking to her too -- [Delinda's] family is telling her what everyone is typing. The doctors say she is responding to the music and the voices, her 'numbers' are going up, pulse getting stronger--they say they are pretty sure she is going to wake up from hearing this gig."

When I attended the concert's tail end, in fact, Berry Blogger reported his observations from the edge of Delinda's ICU bed, telling the gathered in-world crowd: "You guys are still causing a distinct reaction singing and talking to her, according to her Doctor who is here with us again. Thank you for that."

Then later, Berry reported this:

"We're seeing a tear in her eye again. I think she can hear you guys."

After many hours being by her side, Berry told me had to get some sleep, but he plans to be back in Second Life, on his laptop next to Delinda, today at Noon SLT. Delinda's still has not fully revived, so she'll need another group of friends then, making as much noise as possible.  I'll post the next location here when I get one. Meantime, you can follow this Twitter feed that's being updated by a RL friend of Delinda, to report on her condition.

One more thing: Berry Blogger told me Delinda would have wanted people to know about the KDIGO, the global non-profit dedicated to improving the care of kidney disease patients: Go here to read more about it. And again, check back later today, to hopefully find out where you can go, to help revive Delinda Dyrssen.

Update, 1:15PM: I am deeply sorry to pass on this email from Dan Barrie, friend of Delinda Dyrssen (Denise Williams in real life), who interacted with the SL community last night as avatar Berry Blogger:

I regret to have to tell you, Denise passed away this morning at 8:05 AM (SLT) from cardiac arrest. Her doctor said that her kidney illness had taken a toll on her heart and unfortunately she could not hold on.

Last night we all saw how much people on Second Life loved her and they now consider them a part of their extended family. They want to thank them from the bottom of their hearts for bringing so much love to her last few hours on this earth. Her doctor told us that the tears we saw in her eyes were probably a reaction to hearing her friends who got to talk to her... and the music that brought her so much joy.

Her family is requesting In lieu of flowers, people may send a donation in her name (Denise Williams) to KDIGO and/or Shay Kelly of Project 50/50 who inspired her more than she (Shay Kelly) would ever know.

Denise was 32 years old. She had so much she wanted to do in this world. We will miss her. God takes the good ones early. I will let you know about details of funeral arrangements when they come available.

Update 2, 2:00PM: Right now dozens of friends of Delinda have gathered in Freestar to remember her: Direct SLurl teleport at this link.

Chestnut Rau, New World Notes event writer, has also created a new SL group you can join, Delinda Dyrssen Memorial: "This group is to organize a memorial concert to benefit her favorite charity and to honor her endless enthusiasm." (Above photo by Delinda's friend and NWN contributor ColeMarie Soleil.)

Update 3, 11/21: Paisley Beebe has a beautiful remembrance of Delinda here. Given the events that have transpired over the weekend, I've changed the name of this title from "URGENT: Delinda Dyrssen is in a Real Life Coma and Needs Her Second Life Friends to Help Wake Her".

Comments

[Paisley Beebe]

Thankyou for reporting this Hamlet. Delinda, has been on a world trip not to find a donor, she found one through a connection that she met in Second Life when she first started treatment for her genetic kidney failure. Delinda was on a round the world trip for a holiday and to specifially spread the word about her transplant through this service. http://www.kidneyregistry.org/index.php?cookie=1 She wanted to accompany her brother and his family, on this trip, and whilst doing so promote this exchange program. Her kidney she now has, was transplanted after her brother donated a kidney to a compatible recipient who's reletive donated to Delinda. Her brother was not compatible with Delinda its a sort of round robin style of exchange. No one sells and no one gets paid. Its an exchange between families.

Delinda was on her way to Indonesia, when she fell ill in Saudi, after Indonesia her last stop was in Australia where she was to meet with several of her Aussie freinds, including me.

Her last request before falling into a Coma was that we should know that she was probably going to be delayed in getting to us...maybe 2 weeks...She didn't know how serious her set back was.

She is doing well, her Dr is really positive that they saved her kidney, and that she will have no long term damage. But she has been in a Coma for 6 days. The music from the Pocket and her freinds there, has defenitlly helped her and increased her conciousness. They expect her to "wake up" within 24 hours.

Delinda is so passionate about getting the word out about her program. Please pass this onto anyone you know who is on Dialasis and suffering with Kidney Disease this is her passion and her desire.

Delinda is an extraodinary person, this is not her first health issue over the last 2 years, and she has endured enourmous personal loss. Those that know her know her to be a very energetic, person with a great sense of fun, and an enourmous ability to give. The only thing that will hold the girl down is a damn Coma!!!! but not for long.

http://www.kidneyregistry.org/index.php?cookie=1

[Wizard Gynoid]

yes, that's me in both of the photos above. when i heard the news of this amazing thing that delinda's friends were doing for her, i was so moved i had to participate. i am so intrigued about the power that virtual friends and loved ones can express in this way to help a real friend. this tale says much about how *real* we all are and how *real* the relationships are, how much we *really* mean to our virtual friends and what we can *really* do to help each other in a time of need.

[ColeMarie Soleil]

:( Delinda has always been super supportive of me :X I don't know what to do but show up today.

[Bettina Tizzy]

Delinda, I'm rooting for you. A lot.

[brinda allen]

Seeing things such as this happen is why I continue to say that there is magic in virtual worlds. My friends AlexHayden & soror have spoken about how what is happening, about how this connection we have via pixels will long outlive the platform we call Secondlife.

Delinda you are so loved.
Namaste

[ColeMarie Soleil]

Delinda you better wake up or I will beat you with a baby mudkip -.-

[JeskaD]

Thanks for posting the information on how to learn more about kidney failure. My brother lost total kidney function while he was in HS and thankfully was able to get a new kidney from our father.

I'm biased, but would also recommend everyone to register as an organ donor, there are 100k people just in the US who are awaiting an organ, read more: http://www.donatelife.net/

You can also consider being a living kidney donor to help people like Delinda, more information here: http://www.livingdonors.org

[Eddi Haskell]

Delinda bent over backwards to help line up top Second Life musicians for a benefit concert series I put on for www.breadandjams.org, a homeless shelter organization a while ago. She always is concerned about those who really need help, and now she needs ours.

One of the hidden "secrets" to the real world about Second Life is what a great platform it is to raise funds for charities. Delinda is one of the people who helped put this on the map. And she is a great person to work with too. I think and pray she will recover, and that this will not hold a wonderful person back -- and will participate in the concert tonight.

[ColeMarie Soleil]

:( I can't believe she's gone =/
I don't really know what else to add.

[Mitch Wagner]

According to what appears to be a Twitter account set up by a RL family member, Delinda passed away 8 am today.

I didn't know her well, but I am nonetheless saddened by her loss.

[Oliver Szondi]

I just herd the news as it came, i cant belive it. I met her in person and she was lovely. My deepest condolences go out to her family...RIP Delinda..

[Twstd Ruggles]

I have also just heard the news that has truly sadden my heart. Delinda was one of the best people to know in SL and will truly be missed soarley. RIP darling. Heaven just earned a hell of angel. xoxo

[Wizard Gynoid]

awwww. well, i know delinda heard her friends singing and talking to her. that's not a small thing. :-(

[Bixyl Shuftan]

My condolences. She got her start at SL Newspaper, and we remained friends after she left. She will be missed.

[Kat Claxton]

Delinda will be sorely missed by so many. It was a priviledge to get to know her in SL.

[Lord Sullivan]

Hopefully her message about organ donation will continue from within SL. I am proud to carry my donor card in the hopes that some day when my time has come my parts will help others lead a better life.

A time for those that don't carry an organ donor card to reflect on Delinda's aims and message and get one now.

A sad time for the family and my condolences to them and the hopes that you find strength in the awarness that Delinda created both in and out of SL about this important topic for all of us to consider.

[Indigo Mertel]

I am extremely sorry to read about these sad news. This really breaks my heart. My heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.

[Cellandra Zon]

OMG OMG OMG, I logged on expecting to hear that Delinda was alive and awake and Now I hear she is dead. I'm sooo sorry. I will miss you my friend. You were one of my best friends in SL and I don't know what I will do without you. Sobbing completely now.

[Lord Sullivan]

There is also a thread on the SL forums as well here:

http://blogs.secondlife.com/message/504799#504799

[Whimsy Winx]

I am so sorry to hear this. What a dynamic woman, how courageous to battle with this, and then set out to make sure others get the help they need. She is a credit to the human race, an example on being someone who can make a difference. She definitely made a difference. Saving lives, educating others in the hopes they could too. What an inspiration. My condolences to her friends, and family.

[Nine Warrhol]

My condolences to both her family and friends in all places. 32 is very young to leave this world but at least she knew that people were there for her in her final moments.

[ColeMarie Soleil]

She might have been young but she was a lot older than she seemed and almost kind of mother hen with me at times. She was a person who put other people before herself always. I'll always remember how she made me laugh the most. It doesn't seem really real to a lot of us yet I think. She touched a lot more people than she realized. Anyway I'll keep it short but I miss her.

[Chestnut Rau]

When I first started Chestnut's Choices Delinda was behind the scenes week after week, feeding me great content to share. She always had her finger on the pulse of the best in SL content and she loved to share with others.

The world is a little darker and a little colder today without Delinda. I am heartbroken.

[Paisley Beebe]

Shattered Sad Shocked. The world and her family needed Delinda and now we only have her memory. My Second Life will be all the duller without her. I can't quite beleive it. Sleep well my freind we will miss you so much. She was everything that people are saying, she was a genuine lovely kind person, she was really annoying! but you couldnt stay annoyed by her, she was just so passionate about life. Im going to miss her bouncing all over the place. Delinda was one of a kind. Geees what a damn waste!

[MenuBar Memorial]

Hamlet, thank you for this fine article about the passing of our dear friend. She was a major part of my second life, and is in my thoughts and in my heart every day.

[Argus Collingwood]

Beati qui lugent: quoniam ipsi consolabuntur

To the Family and friends of Delinda.. best thoughts and prayers going out. <3333

[Bree Birke]

I'm so sad for those who knew and loved Delinda well - she touched so many lives ...

[Noirran]

My condolences to her friends and family. She went way too young.

[Dan Barrie]

Thank you Mr. Au for this story. I know that Denise was not one to go missing without letting people know where she was. Hopefully your report here will let her friends whom I did not know or was not able to contact, why she is no longer with them. We will miss her.

[Alisa Draconia]

The last pic I have of Delinda is in June 2010. I remember well that she had mentioned her trip around the world. Time passed and I never got word of her. I just looked at my old pics of her now, reminescing of the short few yet wonderful moments I had spent with her. She invited me to many live musical events and we discussed a bit as well.

I am saddened to hear that she has long passed away, but I am prefer to think that she had a wonderful time before leaving, sharing memories with many people in SL and in RL.

May she rest in peace and be remembered by those who knew her.