Hadlee Mae was born in 2017 with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a complex congenital heart defect. After two open-heart surgeries, she began to decline toward the end of 2019, going into complete heart failure.
In February of 2020, Hadlee was admitted to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where her only hope of survival was to receive a heart transplant. After what seemed like an eternity, including a pandemic, Hadlee received the beautiful gift of life on May 28th, which ironically happens to be her older brother’s birthday. So, there are many celebrations on that day!
As a family, we have grown so much and cherish each moment that we have with each other; not taking a second for granted. The gift of donation has allowed Hadlee to start pre-school, go to the beach, play soccer, play on her playground, make friends, and just be a kid with her siblings. The moments, hopes, and dreams that we thought we were going to lose with Hadlee were given back through the selfless decision of donation.
To Hadlee’s donor family: we are eternally grateful and cannot express the magnitude of thanks for your selfless decision and your loved one’s gift of life. Know that with each experience Hadlee gets, your child is not forgotten.
– Felicia Rohman, Mother of Hadlee Rohman, Heart Recipient
