Exactly two years ago this week, a pair of families underwent a life-changing event that forever alter their perception of the holiday season. On the same day in 2013, both families faced unexpected uncertainty, and desperately hoped for miracles that would put their lives back together. Two sets of parents kissed their babies outside of an operating room. Two children took their last breaths with the heart and lungs that brought them into the world. Two sets of surgical teams performed procedures that changed Christmas for everyone involved.
Because Weston's transplant occurred at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , located on 34th street, and that it was so close to Christmas, the day was dubbed 'Miracle on 34th Street'. Weston's hospital room was decorated for Christmas, and his beloved 'Elf on the Shelf' wore a surgical mask the morning of transplant. Between the excitement that a match was finally found, the ultimate act of kindness through organ donation and the hope of a brighter future for Weston made for the perfect ingredients of a Christmas season miracle.
And while the gift of transplant was the ultimate gift that Weston and the Keeton family could receive that year- it did not come with a warranty that protected from the uncontrollable complexities of the human body. Three months after transplant, Weston passed away but not before leaving an indelible imprint about of the meaning of life on so many who were touched by his life.
Two years later and the Keeton family is back home in Tennessee working on creating a new Christmas season with their children while simultaneously coping with grief. Although their transplant journey has ended, Weston's legacy continues to educate people about the life-saving gift of organ donation, and true life-transforming effect it has on an entire family. The story of the selflessness of his donor family and the fighting chance it allowed Weston has brought the best out in people. 'The Miracle on 34th Street' was not just that singular day of transplant. It is how so many people continue to register as organ donors after being inspired by inspired by Weston's life, and his donor.
That is why on the anniversary of Weston's Keeton's personal 'Miracle on 34th Street', I share this story. Because at this exact moment, there is a child just like Weston, placing 'a new heart' on the top of a Christmas list this year. And at the same time, there is a family that went from writing holiday cards to penning an eulogy virtually overnight. However in the most selfless choice- a person's legacy be elevated into a status of a miracle making existence providing the ultimate gift of kindness. In honor of Weston and his donor, consider registering online as organ donor so that one day a miracle can be made because of the life you live today.
To learn more Weston's Warriors, click here . To register as an organ donor, click here .
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