No Longer Denied Transplant: Teen Added to Heart Donor List

[JRLeft]

The Stokes’ Family can breathe a sigh of relief as Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston has reversed its decision to add 15 year-old Anthony Stokes to its donor list.

Anthony Stokes made national news when the hospital initially refused to put Stokes on the donor list after hospital officials sent the family a letter saying he was not a good candidate because of his “history of non-compliance.”

Stokes’ mother, Melencia Hamilton, openly wept during a press conference concerning the donor status of her son. Anthony Stokes suffers from a condition called dilated cardiomyopathy. The condition does not allow the heart’s left ventricle, the main pumping chamber, to pump enough blood throughout the body. Usually, the condition is treated with medications or electronic devices like pacemakers. Without a new heart, Stokes was likely to die within six to nine months.



Mark Bell, the family spokesman said, “We met with hospital officials about 30 minutes ago. After reviewing the situation, they said Anthony would be placed on the list for a heart transplant and that he would be first in line, due to his weakened heart condition.”

http://www.blackbluedog.com/2013/08/news/no-longer-denied-transplant-teen-added-to-heart-donor-list/