Hailey Steimel

Organ recipient

Age 21 – Cedar Rapids, IA

Honored by Iowa Donor Network

Hailey Steimel was born with a congenital heart defect that require her to undergo an open-heart surgery at the age of 1. Growing up, she lived a relatively normal life, much like her twin sister, Hope. That changed quickly in the fall of 2012, when Hailey and her family learned that she would eventually need a heart transplant. A year later, she was placed on the UNOS list, after being hospitalized with congestive heart failure.

After receiving “the call”, on February 14 she celebrated Valentine’s Day and National Organ Donor Awareness Day by receiving a much-awaited heart from a generous donor. Because of this special gift, Hailey was able to go back to high school and graduate with her class. She is now in college and she hopes to work in a field that allows her to share her story and the importance of organ donation with others.

Hailey’s Story

I’m Hailey Steimel. I am 21 years old. I was born with a congenital heart defect—transposition of the great vessels. Because of this, I had an open-heart surgery at age 1.

I lived a relatively normal life, much like my twin sister, Hope, until the age of 16, with little restrictions.

That changed quickly in the fall of 2012. My family and I learned that I would eventually need to be placed on the heart transplant list! This is the first we had ever heard of this. We hoped that this would be much later. Unfortunately, it was not. On August 19, 2013, I was admitted to the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. I was in congestive heart failure, and quickly placed on the waiting list for a heart transplant. A Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) was placed in the right side of my heart. That device would pump my failing heart while I waited for a donor heart.

On February 13, 2014, “the call” came. On February 14, 2014 (Valentine’s Day and National Organ Donor Awareness Day) I received my precious gift! I have recently learned more about my precious donor, and have had some communication with his family. I hope for his family and mine to be able to meet someday.

Because of this special gift, I was able to go back to high school and graduate with my class, even after missing my whole junior year. I am now in college and hope to have a career that involves sharing my story and the importance of organ donation.