Stories of Hope

Back to School 2016: Michael's Story

In February of 2014, at age 16, I went into the hospital after being sick for about a week and not getting better.  I learned that I had a virus that had attacked my heart and that my heart had been damaged by the virus. I was at UNC Chapel Hill for two months and during that time there were a lot of ups and downs.  The doctors had decided that the best option for me was to have a heart transplant. I received my new heart on April 15, 2014; and I have been doing great!

Sofie’s Story: Liver Transplant Recipient at 5 Months Old

Sofie was born  on March 30, 2012. She was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia (her liver did not  have bile ducts) when she was just a few days old.  She went through her first surgery at just 18 days old.  But the Kasai procedure failed and she needed a liver transplant at 5 months old.

Carl: Embraced Life, Gave Life

My late husband and I met Carl and his wife when we were both young, married couples. We became good friends and together enjoyed watching our children grow to adulthood. Carl and his wife, Margie, moved to other locations and ended up retiring to Florida. Both of our spouses died, and Carl and I reconnected. Eventually, we married in 1990.

Mack S. Leggett - Two Gifts In One

When Mack received his transplant on January 8, 2005, he was the first Hemophiliac in North Carolina to receive a new liver. He outlived all the doctors’ initial expectations and continues to thrive thanks to his faith and a selfless gift of life.