Families’ hearts are full this holiday season

By Maureen Gilmer, Riley Children’s Health senior writer, mgilmer1@iuhealth.org

Modern medicine and miracles shared space Saturday in the NCAA Hall of Champions, where Riley Children’s Health heart transplant recipients gathered to celebrate the holidays and the gift of life.

The Christmas party, which got its start 30-some years ago, thanks to the efforts of two mothers whose children received hero hearts in the early 1990s, is a day of joy and connection, a time for kids and young adults to learn from each other as their parents also find support.

Paulina Nieto, 25, has undergone two heart transplants, the first one in 2001 and the second in 2015. She recently earned a master’s degree and works as a licensed social worker, and she had a message for the 12- to 18-year-olds she was speaking to in a break-out session Saturday.

“I’ve been able to accomplish so many things I didn’t think I would,” she told the group. “You are more than capable of doing anything you put your mind to. Be proud of yourselves.”

Later, she acknowledged that her goal in talking with the teens was to have a genuine conversation, to let them know that they’ve been given a gift and it’s up to them to live their best life.

“When I look at them, I’m reminded of myself at that age,” Nieto said. “I know I had so many questions, and it can be intimidating.”

But speaking with them, she said, was “inspiring.”

Transplant cardiologist Dr. Robert Darragh, who was joined at the party by cardiologist Dr. John Parent and cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Jeremy Herrmann, has been involved in the celebration since its early days and enjoys seeing his patients grow and thrive.

“This is the fun part,” he said, as he posed for pictures with transplant coordinator Debbie Murphy and longtime patients Kobe Brannan and Leighton Akins, both two-time heart transplant recipients.

“This is where these kids make connections; it’s part of their support network,” he said. “There’s a lot they can learn from each other.”

The annual party has been hosted by the NCAA for 20 years.

“We feel very privileged and blessed that they continue to support this partnership,” Murphy said.

Riley echocardiogram technician Nancy Kehlenbrink couldn’t have been more excited to be back with all of her Riley “kids.” After a lengthy medical leave, she returned to work in October, but coming to the holiday party was a gift in itself.

“I couldn’t wait to get here,” she said, stopping for photos with Ava Graham and Edward Sandefur, who received transplants last year. “This is my life.”

No Christmas party is complete without Santa Claus, of course, and several families made sure to get a photo with him. Among them: a young Caleon McCauley, whose aunt, Carissa Bentley, received her transplant 28 years ago; and the Kinnaird family – 13-year-old Caleb was transplanted 11 years ago and is doing amazing, his mom said.

“This party is really special to us,” Katie Kinnaird said. “It’s like a mile marker, another year and he’s still healthy.”

Samyrah Gray, 16, was transplanted three years ago, but this was her first transplant party.

“I feel good,” she said, while waiting for lunch with siblings Saniyah and Surriyah and her mom, London Gray.

Saturday’s party included games, crafts, interactive exhibits, lunch, and perhaps the best thing – time and space to be with others who bear the same scars and understand the transplant journey better than anyone.

“It’s really nice to see a room full of people who have something in common and something as big as a heart transplant,” said coordinator Maegan Boehm. “Hopefully, they walk away having met someone new and having had fun.”