CLIFTON, Va. — Thursday afternoon, an honor walk was held at Children's National Hospital as two young boys were brought in to surgery to donate their organs.
Zachariah Henry Brice, 3, and William Clarke Brice, 6, passed away Sunday.
On April 10, crews were called to the 13900 block of Whetstone Manor Court in Clifton around 9:30 a.m. for a reported house fire, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue said.
Zachariah, 3, and William, 6, were trapped inside the home, and had to be rescued by firefighters.
The family says they received an outpouring of support and prayer, and were hopeful their boys would make it. Unfortunately, they passed away on Sunday.
But, their legacy will live on.
On Wednesday, their father announced that they planned to donate both Zachariah's and William's organs.
"William and Zachariah will have organ donor surgery tomorrow. Both boys will be rolled down the hallway in a 'Walk of Honor.' The family and hospital staff will line the hallways in honor of these boys, and will say 'well done, you did it' over and over again," He wrote on Facebook.
Thursday morning, a crowd gathered in the hallway of Children's National Hospital for an honor walk.
Both boys were wheeled in to surgery, as the group clapped and cheered for them.
"To God be the glory, and so great to see the impact the boys are still having now and will have in the future," Jamey wrote on Facebook.
"Despite these parents going home today without their two sons, they made a brave and courageous decision to say yes to organ donation. So that Zachariah and William can save other lives. That in it of itself is what a hero is," said Jecoliah Daniels, a spokesperson for Infinite Legacy.
The non-profit is an organ procurement organization in D.C., Northern Virginia and Maryland. She says they serve about 10 million people.
"More than 100,000 people in the United States are desperately waiting for a phone call that the life saving transplant they need is donated in time. Sadly, 16 people will die in the U.S. every day because the organ they need is not donated in time," said Daniels.
The Brice's decision to have Zachariah's and William's organs donated will save several lives, she said.
"Together William and Zachariah will potentially save up to nine lives and that is simply amazing," said Daniels.
Even more special, the boys saved lives together.
"It was very important to this family for the boys and brothers to be together. So what was really incredible is they were able to be in the operating room around the same time, so that they could save lives together. They were able to have this honor walk together. Brothers together until the end and their legacy lives on," said Daniels.
She told WUSA9 she believes this decision will also bring the family some comfort.
"By these parents making this selfless and courageous decision on behalf of their sons they are going to save lives and help other families find that hope. We also believe this will be healing and comforting to them as a family to know that Zachariah and William live on," said Daniels.
This decision, which is shining a light on the importance of organ donation, is something Daniels says more people should consider registering for.
"Here locally more than 4,000 people are waiting for a life-saving transplant. Registering to be an organ donor is a personal decision. I see it as a community responsibility. It takes less than two minutes and you can make a huge impact and save up to 8 lives of others, so why wouldn't you," said Daniels.
"Zachariah and William, today they saved lives and are heroes and their legacy will continue," she told WUSA9.
To register to become an organ donor, click here.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. It's unknown where the fire started but scanner audio from the incident said there was a fire in the kitchen.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page for the family had raised more than $200,000 for the family as of Thursday night.