The family of 11-year-old Ava Cooper, who recently received a heart transplant, is feeling grateful after a long wait on the transplant list led to a miraculous turnaround.
“Daddy, I’m holding my heart!” Ava exclaimed in a heartfelt moment captured on video.
“Are you serious? Oh my goodness,” her father, Sean Cooper, responded.
Ava had a port put in back in March and is eager to get back to school, as she shared with Fox News on Friday.
Ava expressed her joy, saying, “I can now live a normal life and do what I want,” while appearing on “Fox & Friends” with her family.
Sean, her father, emphasized that their future is possible thanks to the donor’s family. “We wouldn’t be here without their generosity,” he mentioned, underscoring their gratitude. “We are blessed, and words can’t capture how thankful we are for this gift.”
Ava’s health challenges began shortly after her birth. In just a week, she underwent her first heart surgery. According to the Cleveland Clinic, she faced a series of complex heart defects, including a hole in her heart and problems with her lung valve.
Over the years, she had several surgeries, but by September 2024, a transplant became her only option. “It was emotional for so many reasons,” said Jamie Cooper, Ava’s mother, knowing that her daughter finally received her heart. “We were all overjoyed, relieved, but also scared. It was, surprisingly, one of our best days.”
Ava mentioned that since the surgery, she has felt more energetic and can now visit places she previously couldn’t.
