Honoring Baby Isabell by Spreading Organ Donor Awareness

STORY SUMMARY
Janelle and Matt, a courageous couple, shared their heart-wrenching journey of their daughter Isabelle, born on April 17. Despite an uncomplicated pregnancy, Isabelle began experiencing feeding issues at five weeks old, initially suspected to be acid reflux. When admitted for a feeding tube, doctors discovered an enlarged heart, leading to a heart transplant recommendation. Tragically, Isabelle passed away on July 31 while awaiting the transplant, which often has long wait times for infants. In her memory, Janelle and Matt are now advocating for organ donation awareness, highlighting Isabelle’s unique contribution as the youngest donor at Mayo Clinic since 1990. Their efforts aim to emphasize the lifesaving potential of organ donation and its role in helping grieving families. For more on their story and how to contribute, visit KTC’s website.

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FULL STORY
[In a heartfelt journey marked by both profound joy and deep grief, Janelle and Matt welcomed their beautiful daughter, Isabelle, into the world on April 17th. Initially, everything seemed perfect, but at five weeks old, Isabelle began to exhibit feeding issues, which led her parents to seek medical advice. Despite initial suggestions of acid reflux, further examinations revealed a more severe condition: an enlarged heart requiring a transplant. This news turned their lives upside down and initiated a race against time for a new heart.

Tragically, Isabelle passed away while waiting for a heart transplant, leaving her parents determined to turn their sorrow into a mission of hope. During their time in the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVIUC), they encountered other families facing similar challenges and quickly decided to raise both awareness and funds for organ donation. Isabelle’s parents emphasized the critical need for increased organ donors, especially for infants, who can face prolonged wait times.

Remarkably, Isabelle has become the youngest heart donor at Mayo Clinic since 1990, a painful yet meaningful legacy. Her donation has given peace to Janelle and Matt in their grieving process, and they hope to inspire others to consider organ donation. This selfless act not only honors Isabelle’s memory but also aims to save other lives and ease the suffering of countless families waiting for a second chance. For more details on how you can support or participate in organ donation, resources and links are accessible online.


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