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Mikahla, daughter of Wendy Montgomery, was given a second chance at life after receiving a heart transplant.
By: Wendy Montgomery, Financial Card Customer Specialist, State Farm Bank®
While working at State Farm® I have come to know many other fellow State Farmers which have been touched by Organ Donation. Some are transplant recipients and received a liver, kidney, lung or other transplanted organ; others are family members of those whom lost a loved one whom chose to donate their organs. I have even met one special person whom chose to be a living kidney donor and anonymously gave a kidney to someone in need!! In sharing my families experience I hope to bring awareness for the need of donors for those waiting on the National transplant list.
 My daughter, Mikahla was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect at birth. We were informed by cardiologists at some point in her life she would be in need of a heart transplant. Mikahla’s heart began to weaken at age 3, and became progressively weaker over the next several years. She was unable to participate in simple activities most kids take for granted such as P.E., swimming, bike riding or simply walking more than 30 feet at a time. Mikahla’s friends would have to push her in a stroller from class to class due to shortness of breath and chest pains, a result of her failing heart. I recall carrying Mikahla up the stairs to her bed each night as her heart failure made it impossible to climb the stairs herself.
 In December of 2006, at the age of 8, Mikahla was placed on the National transplant list and a nerve wrecking 5 month wait had begun. On April 5, 2007 at 5 a.m., we received the phone call we desperately hoped and prayed for, doctor’s had found a perfect match for Mikahla. A terrible tragedy had occurred; a family somewhere had made the decision to donate their 8 year old son’s heart. We quickly departed to St. Louis Children’s Hospital where Mikahla underwent a 5 1/2 hour heart transplant surgery.
Because of this family’s decision to donate their son’s organs during the most difficult of times, Mikahla was given a second chance at life. Although we do not know much about our donor, we are hopeful to someday meet his family. We would like to learn more about him and express our appreciation of their decision in giving the ultimate gift a person could ever receive, the Gift of Life.
 Since her transplant Mikahla is now able to live life as a “normal” child. She is now in 6th grade and attends Chiddix Jr. High enjoying her new found hobbies including bike riding, swimming, and cheerleading. With her new heart Mikahla has nearly doubled in size weighing a mere 45 pounds the day of her surgery to over 83 pounds today and has also grown over 5 inches! This past April 5, our friends and family joined us in a “Gift of Life” celebration, marking the 2nd anniversary since her transplant and the day her “new life” began.
An organ donor is Mikahla’s HERO! We all have the power to be someone’s HERO. Registering to be an Organ Donor is an important decision to make so please take time to discuss your feelings and wishes with your family members. In closing, I conclude with a quote which carries such deep meaning to our family and could to your family someday too…
”To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.” You have the power to be a HERO, be an Organ Donor.
* Article from State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company’s internal newsletter. www.statefarm.com
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