Stories of Hope
Heart patients
Change of heart – Giving back to mankind
Mohan Mahal’s transplant journey literally and figuratively led to a change of heart. He’s been inspired to give back to the world and to the communities around him.
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A new heart during the COVID-19 pandemic
Struggling with a heart condition diagnosed in 2004, Jesse received a heart transplant during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Joseph Hillenburg: Celebrating National Donate Life Month
To celebrate both National Donate Life Month and National Pediatric Transplant Week, Joseph Hillenburg, shares his perspective as father of Ben, a transplant recipient.
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Gianna Paniagua: Celebrating National Donate Life Month
Gianna Paniagua, heart transplant recipient, shares her story and how every day can feel similar to COVID-19 to her.
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Roxanne Watson: Celebrating National Donate Life Month
To celebrate National Donate Life Month, Roxanne Watson shares her story as a heart transplant recipient.
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Miracles do happen
On July 18,2019 I received a heart and double lung transplant and it has been the best thing that has every happened to me. Also knowing that I was the first person to receive a heart and double lung transplant in San Diego in 2019.
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Jameson’s story: The transplant that came out of left field
Jason Finney watched his family open gifts together through FaceTime with his wife, Sarah, on Christmas Day in 2017. Jason traveled out of state the day prior to support his father who required breathing assistance from a ventilator at the time. “Um – Jameson just...
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My second heartbeat
Monique Acosta House was your typical college student 20 years ago with the daily schedule filled with work and classes. She began to notice that she was feeling more tired than usual and had left arm pain. Her friend suggested that she should get that checked out by...
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I only had a 2% chance
A lot of times, when you hear the words heart failure, you think of the elderly. As a healthy 25 year old, never did I expect to hear those two words. And never did I ever expect to heart those two words while pregnant with my second. Peripartum Cardiomyopathy. After...
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A heart transplant is a miracle
My name is Jose Calderon. At the age of 35, I was in the prime of my life. I had a beautiful family – my wife, my daughters (ages 14 and 11) and my son (age 3 at that time). I was running a brand new business and I was on top of my game. And this business was allowing...
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Life is a gift
What motivated me to get involved and become a DonateLife Ambassador? Through UNOS’ intervention, my brother Jose was able to receive a heart transplant. In my community, there have been two organ recipients: one received a kidney and the other a liver transplant....
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Philip Rostek of Pittsburgh, PA
When i was very sick i came to a place where i met incredible people who were so inspiring that i will never forget their kindnesses, their expertise, and the drama of just meeting and then knowing them. My background is in personal expression. I became a masterpiece...
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