Former Army Medic reflects on life-saving heart transplant
Original story published 2024-09-19 17:34:03
A Detroit woman and former Army sergeant, Lisa Haney, is sharing her journey from saving lives as a combat medic to needing a heart transplant herself, in hopes of raising awareness about organ donation. Haney, who served for 13 years in the U.S. Army, discovered her critical heart issues during a mandatory EKG as she was retiring from service. Ignoring initial symptoms, she eventually required a pacemaker and later, a defibrillator before being placed on a heart transplant list at Henry Ford Health. Doctors identified a severe mismatch between the supply and demand for donor hearts, underscoring the dire need for more organ donors.
Haney’s ordeal began to intensify when doctors found something abnormal during a routine EKG required for soldiers over 40 years old before their service ends. Initially dismissive, Haney ignored the irregularities until symptoms such as fainting and severe sweats forced her to pay attention. As her condition deteriorated, medical professionals at Henry Ford Health intervened by implanting a pacemaker and later a defibrillator. Nonetheless, Haney’s condition continued to worsen, leading doctors to recommend a heart transplant and place her on a waiting list.
Dr. Lindsay Aurora, an advanced heart failure and transplant cardiologist at Henry Ford Health, emphasized the critical gap between the number of patients needing transplants and the availability of suitable donors. Haney’s wait ended last August when she successfully received a new heart. As she recovered with the unwavering support of her family, Haney focused on promoting organ donation across Metro Detroit. Her advocacy work includes partnering with the nonprofit Gift of Life to encourage others to become organ donors, underscoring the life-saving impact of their decisions.
