Jeannie Sullivan

Type of Donation:             Tissue recipient

Age and Location:             Age 61 – Naples, FL

Transplant Date:               October 3, 2018

Sponsor:                               Honored by Cryolife

JEANNIE’S STORY

I come from a family of 4 girls and I am a twin. We had a loving sister who passed away at age 44 from a heart condition. Not only did she give to others in her life, she gave in her death by being a donor.  Little did I know 23 years later I would be on the receiving side. Full circle!

My life turned upside down ten years ago when I was told I had a congenital heart condition that required immediate heart valve surgery.  I continued the next ten years to survive endocarditis, pericarditis, peritonitis, sepsis, C Diff, and 9 more surgeries. I had all my heart valves replaced, redone and repaired. I survived but at a great cost. It shorten my life…. until a wonderful surgeon, Dr. Paul Stelzer, performed another heart surgery called The Ross Procedure which includes a donor heart valve. This surgery, in 2018, gave me back my quality of life and gave me a great future.  For the first time in years, I had a future to look forward to. I have grand babies and I get to be part of their future, as well as my family’s. I have returned to cycling and am off all medication.

Every morning I wake up and thank my donor for allowing me to live another day. I will honor his life in me and try to be a better person. I am able to live life again because of CryoLife. With the wonderful work they do, I now have a future! Thank you, everyone.