When Sarah Wilson went for her 26-week ultrasound, she never expected to leave knowing there was something wrong with her baby’s heart.
“It was a big shock. You think heart disease and you usually relate it to older people,” Sarah said.
When Lillian was born, her pulmonary artery did not reach the right ventricle of her heart.
Thankfully, her medical team was prepared during her daughter’s arrival.
“They showed me her for a quick second, then wheeled her to the NICU for three hours,” Sarah said.
At 5 days old, Lillian received a shunt until she grew enough to have her heart repaired.
At seven months old, she received a donated heart valve to connect the hole in her heart.
Lillian will eventually need another donor heart valve. For now, she is enjoying life as a happy three-year old.
“She’s active,” Sarah said. “You would never know anything was wrong with her.”
But Lillian’s family always remembers their daughter is alive thanks to the gift of a tissue donor.
“I can’t thank someone who lost their child enough, but it is amazing they were so selfless and able to save someone’s life by making that decision.”
The Wilson family met the family of Lillian’s donor, a young boy named Logan who died in a tragic accident. They spent the weekend with his family, visiting all of Logan’s favorite places and getting to know each other.
“It was amazing. They got to listen to Lillian’s heart. It was the best thing ever.”
To make a difference for patients like Lillian, join the Donate Life Registry by visiting SouthTexasBlood.org/DonateLife. To follow Lillian’s story, visit Love for Lillian.
