Annalesia Smallcomb

Type of Donation:           Heart recipient

Age and Location:           Age 19 – Cerritos, CA

Donation Date:                 June 5, 2013

Sponsor:                              Honored by UCLA Health

ANNALESIA’S STORY

Like father, like daughter.

That was the unfortunate case for Annalesia Smallcomb, who underwent a heart transplant almost 25 years after her father, Raymond, had his transplant.

Annalesia, 19, of Cerritos, Calif., had the same genetic predisposition as her father to a heart condition known as “familiar dilated cardiomyopathy,” which causes the left ventricle to become thin and weakened, preventing it from pumping blood efficiently.

Her mother, Talesia, said there were some early warning signs. When Annalesia played youth basketball, she would become winded after only a few minutes on the court, which the family thought was odd.

Her Kaiser doctors determined that her heart was functioning at only 9 percent of its capacity. Initially, she had an internal defibrillator placed to monitor her heart rhythms, detect abnormal heartbeats and correct them. As her condition worsened, Kaiser referred her to UCLA Health for a heart transplant. She first had a ventricular-assist device installed in 2013, while waiting for a donor heart.

That day arrived sooner than expected. Less than two months later – June 5, 2013 – Annalesia underwent a successful heart transplant at UCLA.

Today, she is doing well and attending Cal State Long Beach as a biology-chemistry major, with aspirations to work in the medical field. She currently tutors other CSULB students in chemistry and math. As a science lover, she enjoys teaching others, as well as swimming, reading all types of fiction and watching comedy.

Annalesia’s prognosis is good and her positive outlook is even better. She is ecstatic to represent UCLA Health on the Donate Life Rose Parade float at the 2020 Tournament of Roses Parade. “This is an awesome opportunity and I am thrilled to be offered it,” she says. “I can’t wait!”