In a touching moment that captures the essence of hope and resilience, Ava, an 11-year-old girl, shared life-changing news with her father that left everyone in tears of joy. After spending over 200 days on the waiting list for a new heart, Ava broke the news to her dad, Sean, that she was finally getting a transplant. Born with several heart defects, her tough journey included undergoing heart surgery at just six days old, but that didn’t stop her spirit.
Months passed as Ava and her family waited for a perfect donor match, with her mom, Jamie, keeping the family’s hope alive. The big day arrived in March 2025, when Ava’s doctor, Dr. Hani Najm, performed the transplant, making for an unforgettable moment. After a battle that included multiple surgeries and an eight-month hospital stay post-transplant, this little girl returned home, marking a new chapter full of possibilities and dreams. Hearing her say,“Daddy, I’m getting a heart!”is a line for the storybooks, reminding us all of the power of love and hope in overcoming life’s challenges.
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Andrew Johnson
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