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Heart Transplant

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NJ Teen Who Recently Woke Up From Coma Sees Community Support NJ Teen Who Recently Woke Up From Coma Sees Community Support
NJ Teen Who Recently Woke Up From Coma Sees Community Support Nelson Matos has been fighting for his life since his 17th birthday. The Nutley junior in high school recently awakened from a weekslong coma, and a fundraiser has been set up to help pay for his medical bills and medical equipment. As of Thursday, May 25, more than $42,000 has been raised. Matos initially experienced a minor cold and then acid reflux before being rushed to Mt. Sinai Hospital where he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. Matos had a stroke after surgery and fell into a coma. Upon awakening from the coma, he currently is suffering from paralysis and a speech impairm…

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
Maryland Man Who Made History With Pig Heart Transplant Dies 2 Months Later Maryland Man Who Made History With Pig Heart Transplant Dies 2 Months Later
Maryland Man Who Made History With Pig Heart Transplant Dies 2 Months Later The Maryland man who became the first person in the world to receive a heart transplant from a pig died on Tuesday, March 8. David Bennett, 57, died at University of Maryland Medical Center, just two months after the historic surgery.  He had been living with severe heart disease and opted for surgery as the best option — the other being death. "It was either die or do this transplant. I want to live. I know it's a shot in the dark, but it's my last choice," said Bennett, a day before the surgery. "I look forward to getting out of bed after I recover." A hospital spokeswoman told the Ne…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Faced With Death, Man Becomes First Human To Get Heart Transplant From Pig Faced With Death, Man Becomes First Human To Get Heart Transplant From Pig
Faced With Death, Man Becomes First Human To Get Heart Transplant From Pig David Bennett had two options: Die or get a heart transplant from a genetically-modified pig. The 57-year-old Maryland resident opted for the latter and is doing well days after the procedure. The transplant was performed by surgeons with the University of Maryland School of Medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center. The patient, David Bennett, is being monitored over the next days and weeks to make sure the transplant continues to be a success. He was ineligible for a conventional heart transplant at UMMC as well as at several other leading transplant centers after a review o…

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by Joe Gomez
Lifestyle
Lodi Woman Shares Heart Transplant Story to Raise Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Lodi Woman Shares Heart Transplant Story to Raise Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness
Lodi Woman Shares Heart Transplant Story to Raise Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Story and photos courtesy of NJ Sharing Network Family and friends of Gina Westhoven love her energetic personality and zest for life. She takes pride in her life-saving work as an EMT with Englewood Volunteer Ambulance Corp. and as a business owner. She has a great love for traveling to some of the world’s most-beautiful beaches and enjoys chilling with her mom, family, friends and her 70-pound pit bull Micki. But four years ago, Gina began to face serious health issues for the first time in her life. She constantly felt zapped of energy, and, at times, she struggled to breathe and cou…

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by Valerie Musson
News
'Dream Became Reality': Linden Firefighter Inspires With Organ Transplant Story 'Dream Became Reality': Linden Firefighter Inspires With Organ Transplant Story
'Dream Became Reality': Linden Firefighter Inspires With Organ Transplant Story A Linden firefighter is opening up about his heart transplant in an effort to raise awareness toward the importance of organ and tissue donation. Knowing heart disease runs in his family, Mathew Pribish went in for a routine cardiology checkup more than a decade ago. "I wanted to make sure that, as a firefighter, my heart was healthy," Pribish said. During one of those checkups, the firefighter was told that he has Marfan Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that affects the heart, joints and other parts of the body. In 2013, after being monitored for a few years, Pribish's aortic root…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
'Princess Leilani' Of Paterson, 10, Succumbs To Rare Heart Condition 'Princess Leilani' Of Paterson, 10, Succumbs To Rare Heart Condition
'Princess Leilani' Of Paterson, 10, Succumbs To Rare Heart Condition Leilani Cameron of Paterson was a miracle all her life. Born with a rare heart condition, doctors didn't think she'd make it past birth. A true warrior, Leilani lived 10 years -- and had a smile on her face through it all. Leilani -- who had a heart transplant at 3 years old -- began experiencing heart complications earlier this year. She was waiting several months for a new heart but went into cardiac arrest on Aug. 19 and passed away. More than $16,000 had been raised on a GoFundMe as of Monday morning for Leilani's family. She was remembered for her smile and vivaciousness. Leilan…

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by Cecilia Levine
Lifestyle
'Upbeat' Twin Brothers From Summit Need Funds For Heart Surgery 'Upbeat' Twin Brothers From Summit Need Funds For Heart Surgery
'Upbeat' Twin Brothers From Summit Need Funds For Heart Surgery Edwin and Edward are well known to diners at Village Trattoria in Summit, where the twins work. Described as "upbeat" and "dedicated," they now need the public's help to deal with some costly medical issues.  Both suffer from cardiomyopathy, a serious heart defect. To treat the condition, both were to receive a left ventricular assist device, which will help keep their hearts pumping. The devices will likely serve as "bridges" to heart transplants for the men.  A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist the brothers, who have missed work due to their ongoing medical issues.&n…

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by Paul Milo