After the birth of her second son in late 2005, Patricia Navarino-Winters was diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy, a rare enlargement of the heart that occurs during pregnancy. During that time, Patricia would sleep all day and had little energy to care for her two sons. She endured end-stage heart failure for five years until she received the wonderful gift of a heart from Texas teenager Taylor Storch,, who died in a skiing accident in Colorado in 2010. "Taylor's heart has been such a powerfully, strong, beautiful heart," said Patricia. Her boys are now six and seven years old, and they are able to spend quality time with their mom. Patricia was also able to return to work, exclaiming: "Life is good!"

Patricia's Story

Patricia Winters was diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy, a rare enlargement of the heart that occurs during pregnancy, after the birth of her second son in late 2005. During that time, Patricia would sleep all day and had little energy to care for her two sons. She endured end stage heart failure until she was able to receive the wonderful gift of a heart from Texas teenager Taylor Storch, who died in a skiing accident in Colorado in 2010.

"From the moment I woke from the heart transplant surgery, I have been off and running," said Patricia. "Taylor's heart has been such a powerfully, strong, beautiful heart."

Patricia's boys are now six and seven years old, and they are able to spend quality time with their mom. "I am there for them and actively present in their lives," said Patricia.

Patricia was also able to return to work, part time, as a labor and delivery nurse. "Life is good!" she exclaimed.

Patricia had the good fortune to meet Taylor's parents, who founded Taylor's Gift Foundation with a mission to increase education related to organ donation. In the last 18 months, Taylor's Gift has made a profound difference in the state of Texas as well as around the country through featured segments on Good Morning America, Today, Ellen and various other news programs and magazines.