Heart Transplant Patient Speaks on Valentine's Day

The following is a press release from the New England Organ Bank:

Organ Transplant Recipient, Grace Kobold, 14, speaks to students at a special Valentine’s Day Assembly

CHESTNUT HILL, MA –Beaver Country Day School student, Julia Fein, wants to help increase awareness of organ and tissue donation so she is starting at her own school.  Julia has coordinated a Valentine’s Day assembly where students will hear from Grace Kobold, a 14 year-old heart recipient from Cape Cod.  On Tuesday, February 14, Grace and her mother, Julie, shared their story and explain to the students why registering to be an organ and tissue donor is so important.   

Grace was diagnosed at birth with a congenital heart disease that is often fatal.  In October of 2011, she received her heart transplant at Children’s Hospital and is now living a full life.  She attends Nauset High School and enjoys all the normal activities of a teenager.  She is also aware that someone lost their life in order for her to live.  The heart donor was a young girl from the Mid-West and since the transplant Grace and her family have exchanged letters with the donor’s mother.  Grace knows that her new heart is a very special gift and shares her story to teach people about organ donation and the importance of registering to be a donor.  

Over 112,000 Americans are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant and on average 18 people die each day waiting for a transplant.  To register to become an organ and tissue donor visit www.donatelifenewengland.org

For more information about the assembly please contact Laura Dempsey at New England Organ Bank at laura_dempsey@neob.org or 617.558.6681.  

New England Organ Bank is the federally-designated, non-profit procurement organization responsible for the surgical recovery of organs and tissues for transplant throughout the New England region.
About Donate Life New England

Donate Life New England is a joint project of two federally designated organ procurement organizations that serve New England – LifeChoice Donor Services and New England Organ Bank. They have come together to create a fast and easy way for citizens of New England to register as organ and tissue donors in a secure and confidential manner.  For more information, visit www.donatelifenewengland.org.