MINNEAPOLIS - Right now in Minnesota there are eight children waiting for hearts at Minnesota transplant centers, including three-year-old Grace O'Masta of Eagan.
If home is where your heart is then for Grace home is her hospital room at the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital in Minneapolis.
She's been living there for five-and-a-half months, connected to a heart-assist device called the Berlin Heart. It pumps her blood until a real donor heart comes her way.
Dr. Rebecca Ameduri, medical director of the U of M's Pediatric Heart Failure and Transplant Program explained how the Berlin Heart works, saying, "Blood is pulled out of the heart by the device and then pumped back into the aorta by the device."
Grace was born with a condition called dialated cardiomyopathy.
Ameduri continued, "Where her heart is enlarged and doesn't squeeze well."
Grace's mom, Jenny O'Masta, said, "Basically she was born with her left ventricle not working."
Soon after birth Grace also had a stroke which has affected many aspects of her development. With medication she was able to live at home for three years after suffering heart failure in August, she needs that new heart.
Ameduri said, "She's in a difficult age and blood group, that there tend to be many more patients waiting."
Grace is thriving on the Berlin heart, learning to eat and walk with help from therapists and doctors. Mom Jenny said, "She loves music, she loves people, sometimes she'll scoot herself to the door so she can watch people walk by and say hi to them."
Mom is by Grace's side during the week. Dad lives at the hospital with her on weekends. Her little sister also gets to visit often.
While Grace's parents understand the great sadness another family will have to endure in order for Grace to get her heart, they ask others to consider donation.
Jenny said, "We realize out of a horrible situation that some good can come out of that and that's the most important thing."
Then the hospital won't have to be home anymore. Grace's new heart will bring her back to those she loves. Jenny said, "That's our only goal is just to get her home, be a family again."
Life Source has provided a list of frequently asked questions regarding organ and tissue donation.
If you have questions about organ donation or want to designate yourself a donor, contact Life Source.
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