Douglassville, PA native, Jacob Hafer, was born on Valentine’s Day with a “broken heart.” Jacob was just an infant when he was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a rare heart defect that resulted in him needing a transplant. He was listed on the organ transplant waitlist after being diagnosed, and his parents waited nervously for a heart to become available.
Many individuals – especially children – wait months, if not years for a life-saving organ transplant. Jacob was one of the lucky ones. Just seven months after being listed, his family received the call that a heart was available for him. The heart was generously donated by the family of a five year old boy from Atlanta, GA who tragically passed away in a car accident. Doctors were concerned that the five year old’s heart may not fit into the small body of seven month old Jacob, but were able to successfully perform the transplant without any issues.
Today, Jacob says that his life has been a normal one – growing up and being active just like other children. “I ran track and played basketball in school. I’ve been able to do what my friends do. My doctors thought that I may have difficulty running track with my heart, but it was never a problem for me. Besides taking medicine twice a day, I have had a life like any other healthy person,” he said.
February 14th is a special day for Jacob – not only because it is his birthday, but because it’s also National Donor Day. Observed annually, Donor Day encourages people to register as organ and tissue donors, and educates the public about the more than 115,000 men, women and children nationally who are awaiting a life-saving organ transplant. In the state of Pennsylvania, more than 5,300 people are waiting for a second chance at life.
Jacob and his family are passionate about telling their story wherever they can – at churches, schools and community meetings. They want to help others understand the critical need and importance of becoming an organ and tissue donor. A few years ago, they began volunteering with Gift of Life Donor Program by hosting Gift of Life information tables at the Reading Phillies games and participating in Gift of Life Howie’s House’s Home Cook Heroes Program. As a Home Cook Hero, Jacob – along with several of his friends and family members – prepare home cooked meals for the transplant patients and their families who are staying at the House and receiving transplant-related care in the Philadelphia area.
“I think if everyone really knew how sick people on the waitlist are, they would register,” Jacob said. “Healthy people don’t realize that individuals on the waitlist just want to be healthy and be able to fully live the lives that they deserve. I’m going to do all that I can to show people that transplantation works and that they have the power to register and save lives – just like my donor did for me.”
Jake now attends LaSalle University and continues to actively volunteer with Gift of Life Donor Program. Just one donor can save the lives of up to 8 people and enhance the lives of more than 75 others through tissue donation.
Our lovely 16 year old niece..Carly was killed in a car accident she was a donor I would love to know who had the beautiful experience to receive her heart…it was a strong one….& a loving & beautiful one too..
My 19 year old nephew Jacob Kilby received his at age 2. He is waiting now for a second heart. I love to see young adults like my Jacob speaking out about the need for awareness. I hope he is doing well!
so glad u got a new heart and glad u r doing great . My husband has had heart trouble every since he was born. Kip started getting sicker in 2006. Kip finally had to get on the heart transplant list Feb.2014. Kip receive his new heart on Nov.8, 2014. He is doing good and walks a mile every other and is doing rehab 3 times a week. I know you will keep doing great and so will Kip.