April is “National Donate Life Month,” a time to encourage people to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors.
On Friday (April 18), a story from New York shows just how far one gift can go as a single donated heart saved the lives of three young kids.
Teddy Carter, 3, and 2-year-old John Catoliato are full of little boy energy.
There’s no hint of the dire medical situations they faced just a few months ago when both boys needed a new heart valve.
They each received one from an 11-year-old girl who was the recipient of a full heart transplant. But parts of her old heart could be transplanted to the boys.
“I feel amazing to see them healthy,” said the girl.
She brought gifts for the boys when she recently met them at the New York Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital.
Teddy got her aortic valve, and John got the pulmonary valve.
“Since they are living, they have the potential for growth and self-repair,” said Dr. Kalfa.
Kalfa was one of the two surgeons who operated on the kids. He spent almost 24 hours on the surgeries.
The boys’ parents are grateful to their donors and the doctors.
Teddy’s parents say his new valve came just in time, as his leakage worsened.
This was John’s third heart surgery.
“We are eight months out, post-transplant, and his valve is beautiful. They’re making it possible for these kids to actually live,” said John’s mother.
Their sons are now bonded forever. Two boys sharing parts of the same heart.
“We call them heart brothers. They’re connected for their life,” said one of the mothers.
This was all possible because another family decided to donate that healthy heart.
