Meet Cecily
Cecily’s days are full of adventure and imagination! When she’s not playing with her little sister, Lena, or puppy, Max, you’ll find her being goofy and bringing a smile to your face. After receiving the ultimate gift of life at just two months old, Cecily’s future is bright.
Cecily’s parents knew she would be born with a congenital heart defect, but they didn’t know she would be born without an esophagus. Immediately after being born, Cecily was transferred to the Stollery Children’s Hospital for emergency surgery to help her esophagus.
When Cecily was just two weeks old, she was put on ECMO to support her heart and lung functions. She needed a heart transplant. She spent the next 74 days at the Stollery fighting for her life until a donor heart became available. At 10 weeks old, on her father’s birthday, Cecily received the ultimate gift of life and had a successful heart transplant.
Today, Cecily is closely monitored by her transplant team at the Stollery, and more surgeries and procedures are likely in her future. Not only is her family grateful to have a world-class hospital in their backyard, but they are also comforted knowing advancements are constantly being made in pediatric medicine and research.