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Age: 17
Sex: Female
Race: Caucasian, Greek
Occupation: Student
History
- Born with congenital heart disease
- Three open heart surgeries within the first year and a half of life
- Received pacemaker at age eight
- Restricted to no physical activity throughout childhood
Turning Point
Stacey had just turned twelve years old when she received the greatest gift of all, a new heart. This was the first time in her life that she felt almost normal. She was able to run the fifty yard dash for the first time in her life without running out of breath and turning blue.
Due to the medications Stacey took after her transplant, her immune system was weak, causing her to be extremely vulnerable to illness. During this time she contracted a virus that caused her body to reject her new heart. Since her condition was irreversible, Stacey had to re-list for a second heart transplant.
Through support of family and friends, Stacey was able to defeat her fears and doubts that she could survive another transplant. After barely three days on the list, she received another heart at All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL. The complicated and high-risk procedure was a success. After recovering from her second transplant, Stacey felt tremendous gratitude toward her donors and their families and very fortunate to be alive.
Today
Now, a senior at Tarpon Springs High, Stacey is planning for college thanks to the generosity of her donors and their families and her own tremendous courage. Stacey still has routine visits to All Children’s on a monthly basis. |
