Quinn Santini
Pittsburgh, PA
Heart Recipient

Diagnosed with a serious heart disorder called dilated cardiomyopathy, Quinn Santini was placed on the waiting list for a life-saving heart transplant at just 2 weeks old. She became more ill with each week of her young life. Quinn’s heart rate skyrocketed, she experienced lack of movement in her arms and legs, and she required endless amounts of emergency medicine.

After many late nights, tears and prayers, the Santini’s lives were changed forever when a heart became available due to the selfless choice that a donor family made in their darkest hour. After Quinn’s transplant surgery, her life improved quickly. “She came out of the OR, she was pink, she was gorgeous,” her mother, Kellie, said. “And from there, she went from being on life support to slowly becoming the normal toddler that she is today.”

Because of the generosity of the donor family, Quinn, who is now 2 years old, continues to grow each day and has mastered many developmental milestones, including taking her first steps.