One Donor Heart Saves Three Lives: Groundbreaking “Domino” Transplant Gives Three Young Girls a Second Chance

Three young girls are now bonded for life after a groundbreaking heart transplant procedure at Duke University saved all their lives. It began last fall when 11-year-old Joury Kelly suddenly experienced severe fatigue and difficulty breathing. Doctors discovered she was in heart failure and needed an urgent transplant. Earlier this year, her family received the life-changing call that a donor heart was available.

However, instead of simply discarding Joury’s failing heart, Duke Pediatric heart surgeons Dr. Joseph Turk and Dr. Douglas Overby proposed a pioneering “domino transplant.” While Joury’s heart muscle was weak, her valves were still functioning and could be used to help other children in need. Her old heart was carefully split to save two other patients—9-year-old Kenley Friselle and 14-year-old Margaret Van Bren.

Kenley, born with a heart defect, had already undergone surgery at just two weeks old. One of Joury’s valves replaced her failing aortic valve. Margaret, a cross-country runner, initially thought she had a stomach bug but was later diagnosed with a staph infection and endocarditis, which severely damaged her mitral valve. In a medical first, doctors successfully transplanted a living mitral valve into her heart.

Over three days, the surgeons performed three complex and high-risk procedures—all successful. The families recently reunited, sharing gratitude for the incredible innovation that connected their lives. Margaret even wrote a heartfelt note to Joury, calling her “amazing” for giving her a second chance.

Now, all three girls are recovering well. Joury is adjusting to life with a new heart, while Kenley and Margaret are back at school, benefiting from living valves that will grow with them. Their families hope this procedure can be replicated worldwide, saving countless more lives in the future.

First published 2025-02-27 10:30:02