STORY SUMMARY
Northeast Dallas Teen’s Tragic Death Gives Another Man a Second Chance at Life
Chance Stovall, a 17-year-old from Northeast Dallas known for his outgoing personality and love for sports, lost his life in February after unknowingly taking a fentanyl-laced pill. Meanwhile, J. Delagarza of Buda had been waiting over a month for a heart transplant following a heart attack. On February 4th, doctors successfully transplanted Chance’s heart into Delagarza. Curious about his donor, Delagarza reached out to Chance’s family, leading to an emotional exchange of letters. The families later met for dinner, forming an instant, heartfelt connection. Driven by gratitude, Delagarza now raises awareness about fentanyl dangers, partnering with the nonprofit “A Change for Cam.” Together, they unveiled a new billboard in South Austin honoring victims, including Chance. Delagarza feels a profound bond with Chance’s heart, vowing to continue the fight against fentanyl to prevent other families from suffering similar losses.
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A profound story of loss and new beginnings unfolded recently when Jay Delagarza of Buda, Texas, received a much-needed heart transplant from a young man named Chance Stovall. Chance, a vibrant 17-year-old from a small town in Northeast Dallas, tragically lost his life in February. An unexpected encounter at work led him to mistakenly ingest a pill laced with fentanyl, which proved fatal. Meanwhile, Jay, who had been waiting in the hospital for a heart transplant for more than a month following a heart attack, received the life-changing news on February 3rd that a matching donor heart had been found. The successful transplant took place a day later, on February 4th.
Feeling immense gratitude, Jay and his wife reached out to Chance’s parents, Kelly Stovall and her husband, with a heartfelt letter expressing their thanks. The emotional exchange sparked a correspondence between the two families, where Jay learned more about Chance, the young man who had given him a second chance at life. The letters facilitated a deep connection, culminating in an emotional meeting where both families shared their stories and bonded over their shared experiences.
Driven by a newfound sense of purpose, Jay has committed to raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl. In partnership with the nonprofit organization “A Change for Cam,” founded by Becky White, whose own son fell victim to the same substance, Jay is actively participating in efforts to prevent further tragedies. Recently, Jay and his wife participated in an event in South Austin that unveiled a new billboard featuring the faces of fentanyl victims, including Chance. Equipped with shirts displaying Chance’s heartbeat, Jay continues to honor the life of his heart donor while advocating for change, determined to prevent other families from experiencing similar loss.
