'He proved that the shortest of lives can also be the most meaningful ones': Sharon Stone reveals her baby nephew River 'donated organs to save three lives' - despite earlier saying he died of 'total organ failure'

Sharon Stone's family has announced that the organs from baby River, who died on August 30 after suffering total organ failure, have been donated to those in need - and 'saved three lives'.

River William Stone was found unconscious in his crib and died at the age of 11 months.

His father Patrick, the actress's younger brother, and mother Tasha announced the news of the organ donation on the Instagram page of the Center for Organ Recovery and Education . 

'He was our tiny jokester, our water baby, our little foodie,' the family wrote in a statement.

'Now, River has also become a hero. 

'In death, he made a far greater contribution to this world than most of us could ever hope to ourselves.

'And he proved that the shortest of lives can also be the most meaningful ones.

'As an organ donor, River saved three lives.'

River Stone died at the age of 11 months on August 30. On Wednesday the family announced that his organs were donated and three lives saved

River had been airlifted to UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh on August 26. 

The hospital is one of the top ten pediatric facilities in the country, and it implemented the world's first pediatric solid organ transplant program. 

The family did not explain how, having suffered total organ failure, he could donate his organs. CORE is yet to respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.   

The website Donate Life states: 'In order for a person to become an organ donor, blood and oxygen must flow through the organs until the time of recovery to ensure viability. 

'This requires that a person die under circumstances that have resulted in a fatal brain injury, usually from massive trauma resulting in bleeding, swelling or lack of oxygen to the brain.' 

Stone, who last year revealed that her grandmother had passed away from complications relating to COVID-19, was traveling in Italy when River was hospitalized  

The 63-year-old actress shared a photo of the baby boy lying in a hospital bed in a tangle of wires and tubes, while sharing a few details about his condition

Stone asked her fans and followers on August 27 to pray for a miracle, explaining that he was suffering from total organ failure 

The actress then revealed that her 11-month-old nephew River had died just days after he was found in his crib with 'total organ failure'

There are a number of severe medical conditions that can lead to multiple organ failure in children. 

The leading cause is sepsis, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. 

Sepsis - which can be sparked by another infection in the body - is particularly dangerous for children, because the symptoms are more easily missed than they are in adult patients.    

Birth defects and other undiagnosed illness can also lead to pediatric organ failure however, and it is not yet known whether any of these conditions caused River's severe illness.  

Stone, 63, was traveling in Italy when she announced her nephew's devastating medical condition on August 27.

She had traveled to Venice for a photoshoot for Dolce & Gabbana, but arrived back in the U.S. and was pictured landing at JFK airport in New York.

'My nephew and godson River Stone was found in his crib total organ failure today,' she said. 

'Please pray for him. We need a miracle.' 

River's mother Tasha also wrote an impassioned plea for prayers on her Facebook page.

'This is the HARDEST thing I have ever had to post, but I am BEGGING everyone and anyone who prays please pray HARD for River,' she wrote. 

'Every single second of this is literally killing me. I just want my sweet sweet boy back.'

She said that doctors had told her River would 'never be the same' if he ever woke up from his coma. 

'The doctor said if he does pull through he will never be the same,' she continued. 

'Please I am begging for prayers that my baby can be healed and come back with his family who love him so very much. I am beyond heartbroken.' 

River was the youngest child of Sharon's brother, Patrick, and his wife, Tasha. The family live in Ohio with their three children

Tasha, who is married to Stone's younger brother Patrick, said on Facebook that doctors had warned her River would 'never be the same' even if he pulled through his coma  

Stone was inundated with messages of condolences after sharing the news on Instagram.

Actress Selma Blair wrote: 'I am so sorry. My lord.'  

Andie MacDowell also offered her sympathy, commenting: 'I'm so sorry lord.' 

Will & Grace actor Sean Hayes added: 'I'm sitting here in tears. I'm so sorry, Sharon. What a beautiful boy. Sending all my love to you and your family.'

His former co-star Debra Messing also shared a note of sympathy for Stone and her family, writing: '...I am in disbelief. Oh Sharon, there are no words, other than I’m so sorry for your whole family’s loss. I am praying for all of you at this unimaginable time.' 

River's passing comes amid a difficult time for the extended Stone family, which has seen several members dealing with serious health problems in recent months - including cases of COVID-19.   

Last year, a grief-stricken Stone revealed that her 'adopted grandmother' Eileen Mitzman and her godmother had died from complications associated with the virus.  

The actress's sister, Kelly, who has lupus, and her husband, Bruce, had also contracted the disease and were left 'fighting for their lives' before eventually recovering.

While speaking about her sister's battle with the illness in an Instagram video shared in August 2020, Stone also shared that her mother, Dorothy, had suffered 'two heart attacks' in the five months leading up to her post. 

She had to have 'five stents', which help to open the arteries and prevent blockages in the heart, and a pacemaker as a result. 

It also appears as though River's mother Tasha has been struggling with health issues in recent months; comments left on her Facebook page in January suggest that she had to receive medical treatment that required her to spend time away from her family. 

At the time, the mother-of-three revealed that she had returned home - but that she had an IV port in her arm, and would be undergoing continued treatment with the help of a home help nurse for several weeks.

'I was able to come home with a power glide IV port in my arm so I can continue to receive treatments from a home health nurse at home for the next couple of weeks,' she wrote. 

'After that I will be switched to a pill form of the antibiotic. I am just thankful to be back with my family.'