Sofia Sanchez, heart transplant recipient visited by Drake, speaks about her experience

Rob Elgas Image
Thursday, September 20, 2018
Sofia Sanchez, heart transplant recipient visited by Drake speaks about her experience
While waiting for a new heart, Sofia Sanchez made a wish to see the rap star Drake. He granted that wish and, within a week, she got something even more important- a new heart.

CHICAGO -- One month ago, 11-year-old Sofia Sanchez burst onto the social media scene. While waiting for a new heart, she made a wish to see the rap star Drake. He granted that wish and, within a week, she got something even more important -- a new heart.

Now she's speaking publicly for the first time.

Sofia is on a fast track to getting home. She's at the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago in the second phase of her recovery after successful heart transplant surgery.

Sofia spoke about her new heart and her new friend Drake when she returned to Lurie Children's Hospital Wednesday.

Drake and Sofia are now friends. She even has his cell phone number, and they text regularly.

Doctors are blown away by Sofia's resilience, but there are daily reminders her fight is far from over. Sofia takes 18 pills in the morning and many more throughout the day. Her mom has been her rock and is there for her when she needs her most.

Sofia's mom said Sofia's heart condition was misdiagnosed as asthma multiple times. She credits doctors at Lurie Children's Hospital for finally getting it right.

As for Drake, Sofia said he plans to bring her on stage one day to sing with her. She's not giving up that cell number: Not to friends, not to grandma, and certainly not to us.

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