Emily Progin, PR and Communications Coordinator
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22-YEAR-OLD GETS NEW LIFE THROUGH HEART AND LIVER TRANSPLANT
Born with Half a Heart, Sam Mazza Has a Second Chance at Life
HENDERSON, Nev.—On November 2, 2022, 22-year-old Samantha Mazza’s life changed forever as she received a heart and liver transplant. Today, the Henderson community is rallying around this resilient young woman to provide help and hope as she looks forward to a brighter future. A fundraising campaign with the trusted national nonprofit Help Hope Live will provide support for the expensive out-of-pocket expenses associated with the transplant so Sam can concentrate on her recovery.
Sam was born with only half a working heart due to a congenital heart condition called hypoplastic right heart syndrome. Starting just three weeks after her birth, she has endured an endless number of procedures, surgeries, and complications since then, including multiple open-heart surgeries and double stints in her heart. As Sam puts it, “I’ve been touring children’s hospitals for years.”
Despite all of these challenges, Sam has maintained a positive attitude, a resilient approach to her frequent medical complications, and an active life. She enjoys live music like concerts and festivals, spending time with family and friends, traveling, cooking, and working out.
A heart and liver transplant became Sam’s only shot at a healthier future. Sam received “the call” that a heart and liver were available, and on November 2, she received a successful double organ transplant. “The call came just in time,” explained her loved ones. “The transplants saved her life. She’ll be able to live a more normal life now where she’s not just inpatient at a children’s hospital for months at a time.”
A video shows Sam walking out of Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford on her own with her medical team cheering her on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNKOSp7nU2U&ab_channel=HelpHopeLive
As she prepared for the gift of life, Sam also began to prepare for the financial reality of transplantation. A heart transplant alone can top $1.6 million before insurance. Uncovered expenses often include medical travel, temporary relocation and lodging, and anti-rejection medications, which a transplant recipient must take for the rest of their life.
To help with these immense expenses, Sam and her loved ones turned to the trusted national nonprofit Help Hope Live. Ongoing donations will help to ensure that Sam’s incredible gift doesn’t become a financial burden.
Donations can be made at: https://helphopelive.org/campaign/19724/
Unlike a GoFundMe campaign, donations to Help Hope Live are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, and all funds raised will be managed by the nonprofit to cover verified medical and related expenses. Help Hope Live verifies medical and financial need for every patient.
Help Hope Live is a national nonprofit that specializes in engaging communities in secure, tax-deductible fundraising campaigns for people who need a transplant or are affected by a catastrophic injury or illness. Since 1983, campaigns organized by Help Hope Live have raised over $172 million to pay patient expenses. ###
Written by Emily Progin
