From the Heart

Patrice and Candice Monroe have more in common than just being sisters.  They are both heart transplant recipients.  Patrice was 13 when she became ill with flu-like symptoms.  After several tests, doctors determined she had cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart muscles become enlarged.  After only two weeks on the national waiting list, Patrice's family received a call that a new heart was available.

A few years later, the family went through the same ordeal when Candice, then age 15, became ill.   Like her sister, Candice had cardiomyopathy.  Once again, the wait for a second chance at life was relatively short, only a few weeks.

Happy and healthy since the surgeries, Patrice is now the mother of a beautiful daughter, Leahna and Candice is working toward her master's degree.

Patrice and Candice both thank their donors and their families for giving them a chance to live their lives to the fullest.

You have the power to save lives by becoming a registered organ and tissue donor right now or by saying "yes" when renewing your driver license or state ID at the BMV.