Heather Clark was given the extraordinary opportunity to listen to her son’s heartbeat for the first time in nearly three years — by placing a stethoscope against the chest of a young transplant recipient.
Clark faced an unthinkable tragedy in 2013 when she lost her 7-month-old son, Lukas. She chose to donate his organs and saved the lives of three children, including 4-year-old Jordan Drake.
In November, Clark made contact with Jordan’s family. She wrote about it on Facebook:
“I would like to share something with all the amazing Lukas supporters. Today I have been in contact with a beautiful family. This beauty (Jordan) is the girl who has Lukas heart beating in her. One day I will meet her and squeeze her so tightly! Thank you to her mom and dad who allow me to be a part of their lives. This is the best Christmas present I could have asked for.”
On Friday, Clark was given the opportunity to meet Jordan at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and listen to her son’s heartbeat for the first time in three years.
Clark wrote: “One week from today I will be listening to Lukas’ heartbeat once again. I will be holding Jordan in my arms showering her with love and kisses!”
Jordan’s mother, Esther Gonzalez, was anxious about meeting Clark for the first time.
“I’m not going to say anything. I’m just going to hug her. I think I have run out of words at this point,” Gonzalez said, moments before the encounter. “Hugging … I don’t have anything else to say.”
Donate Life Arizona shared photos of the emotional meeting on Facebook. The group also captured the reunion on video.
“Amid the unthinkable grief of losing her son Lukas, Heather made a decision that saved three lives,” the nonprofit said in a statement. “Jordan received Lukas’ precious heart when she was just 18 months old. Yesterday, Heather heard her son’s heartbeat for the first time in nearly three years.”
Dr. John Nigro of Phoenix Children’s Hospital, who recovered Lukas’ heart and performed Jordan’s heart transplant, also attended the get-together.
