“Super Tom” celebrates his first birthday after life-saving heart transplant

ROCHESTER, Minn. – A Minnesota child who received a second probability at life is celebrating a serious milestone: his first birthday. 

Final spring, WCCO caught up with the mother and father in Rochester shortly after Tom received his life-saving heart transplant.

“Our worst 12 months ever, but in addition the very best 12 months ever as a result of now we have Tom,” stated his father Shlomo Kalman Hillel.

Scholo and his companion Matti got here to the USA to undertake their kids Emily and Tom being that very same intercourse {couples} are actually allowed to take action in Israel. However shortly after Tom was born, docs found he had coronary heart illness and would finally want a coronary heart transplant to outlive. 

Tom spent months of his younger life within the Intensive Care Unit, hooked as much as machines and present process many surgical procedures. Then, on April 17, a donor gifted Tom with a brand new coronary heart.

“I can by no means, ever thanks sufficient for what you probably did for us,” stated Shlomo to the friends on the occasion on Sunday.

A few of Tom’s medical crew – together with his physician, surgeon and longtime nurse – got here to rejoice his birthday and his progress.  

“It is good to have a reunion like this to remind us that it is a privilege for what we do, and it is the type of factor that retains you motivated and retains you going,” stated cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Joseph Dearani.

“Tremendous Tom” is his nickname, for his energy to get to immediately, and for his journey forward.

“He nonetheless has some issues to, you understand, work via and work on, however I imply he is rising nicely, he appears to be like unbelievable, so it is very encouraging,” stated Dr. Elizabeth Stevens, Mayo Clinic’s affiliate professor of surgical procedure.

Tom’s story is a reminder of the significance of organ donors, and the chance to provide others a second probability at life.

“Due to a mother or father that misplaced their son or daughter, we do not know, he is right here with us immediately,” stated Shlomo.

“In Hebrew now we have a saying, ‘In the event you save one particular person, you save the entire world,'” stated Matti.

Click here to register to become an organ donor.

Kirsten Mitchell

Kirsten Mitchell joined the WCCO crew as a reporter in November of 2021. A Saint Paul native, Kirsten is proud to inform tales in her house state. She graduated from the College of Minnesota-Twin Cities (Go Gophs!) and interned at WCCO throughout her time there.