A Heart Transplant Gives Little Reagan A Chance At Life
(This story aired on Live 5 News in Charleston during January of 2006.) 

For Reagan, every day is a milestone. In April of 2005, Reagan was born with a congenital heart defect and underwent 2 surgeries in her first seven months of life.  Before a third and final surgery could be performed, Reagan’s heart weakened. Her only hope was a heart transplant. 

In fact, her doctors had given this precious little girl only days to live, when a donor heart became available.

On January 14^th, 2006, Reagan endured a 7 hour surgery at MUSC, receiving the heart transplant that saved her life.  It was an emotional rollercoaster for Reagan’s parents---so happy their daughter would have the chance to grow up, and at the same time, so sad and humbling to know that the heart of someone else’s child would save Reagan’s life.

For Reagan’s mom, Kelly, one of her most cherished moments since Reagan’s transplant came just days after Reagan got her new heart.  “A week after surgery, she saw her brother for the first time.  She smiled and then laughed at him. That was a very special moment.”  

Reagan was released from the hospital in early April of 2006, just three months after her surgery. Her mom Kelly remembers, “We got out of the hospital just in time to spend her first birthday together and away from the hospital. That was very special.”

Now over a year since the surgery, Kelly reflects on the decision that saved her daughter’s life. “I just look at her and think how thankful I am that someone else made the choice to donate life.”  

That decision has given Reagan the chance to experience life like other children-laughing, playing, and growing up with her brother. 

Reagan lives today because another family made the decision to donate life.