On February 14th, Valentine’s Day, Haley Styl, a heart transplant recipient, marks the 11th anniversary of receiving a life-saving heart. Her story is one of resilience and the importance of organ donation, as she recalls the emotional and life-changing experience of receiving a heart transplant at just 17 years old.
Haley was born with a congenital heart defect and had undergone a procedure at the age of one. Despite her initial health improvements, at 16, Haley’s condition began to worsen. Doctors explained to her that patients with similar heart conditions, like the one she had, often required transplants as they grew older. Initially, she dismissed the idea, but by the summer, her health deteriorated rapidly. Haley was admitted to the hospital and placed on a heart pump, waiting for a transplant.
After six months of waiting, which Haley described as relatively short in comparison to other patients, she received the call. On February 13th, just one day before Valentine’s Day, Haley was informed that a heart was available for her. The transplant surgery took place on Valentine’s Day, which also coincided with National Donor Day, making the occasion even more meaningful for Haley.
To commemorate the occasion and raise awareness about the importance of organ donation, Haley will be attending a special event at a hockey game on February 14th. The event, titled “Love on Ice,” will benefit the Iowa Donor Network, with half of the proceeds from the Chuck-a-Puck game being donated to the cause. Haley will also have a special role at the game, serving as the person to drop the ceremonial first puck to mark the evening.
Haley, who has a deep personal connection to organ donation, used the opportunity to encourage others to consider becoming organ donors. She explained that many people don’t fully grasp the importance of donation until it directly affects them or a loved one. She urged people to think about how crucial it is to give others the chance at life, as she was given. For Haley, it’s not just about a second chance—it’s about saving lives, and she hopes to inspire others to sign up for organ donation.
The event on Valentine’s Day serves as both a celebration of Haley’s new life and a call to action for others to consider becoming organ donors. The night promises to be an exciting one, as attendees will come together to show their support for organ donation while enjoying a fun-filled evening of hockey.
