2 families forever connected by 1 heart

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Tuesday, July 20, 2021
2 families connected by 1 heart
TWO FAMILIES, ONE HEART: See how a life-saving gift is keeping one man's memory alive while forever connecting two families. ❤️Heart recipient LaSher Bartay recently met the family of her donor, Brandon Duckett, via Zoom.

Houston, Texas -- For two years, someone else's heart has been beating inside LaSher Bartay's chest. It's a gift she will never take for granted - a message she wanted her donor's family to know.

Bartay recently had the chance to thank the family of her donor, Brandon Duckett. In 2019, his family's life was turned upside down when he was involved in a car accident in Nacogdoches, Texas, and passed away shortly after.

At the time of Duckett's death, Bartay was a breast cancer patient who was undergoing a double mastectomy. Following surgery, she went into sudden cardiac arrest and doctors discovered a previously undetected congenital heart disorder. Due to lack of circulation during CPR, Bartay had to undergo amputation on both of her feet. Duckett's heart was a miracle for her - a gift that saved her life, thanks to LifeGift and St. Luke's Hospital.

"If Brandon were here, of course I'd want to hug him, and tell him how grateful I am to be here and be able to share life with my family and friends," said Bartay. "I know that where he is now, he's got it so beautiful, and one day, I'll be there too."

Click on the video above to see the incredible story of how two families are now connected through one heartbeat.

LaSher Bartay went into cardiac arrest following a mastectomy. But thanks to a life-saving transplant, she got a second chance at life.