Young Woman Needs Heart & Liver Transplant – Help Mirella Fight!
- A 38-year-old woman from Reunion Island is facing a critical health challenge and urgently needs a double heart-liver transplant.
- From the moment she was born, Mirella experienced a lack of oxygen, described as being a “blue baby.” She underwent her first open-heart surgery at just one year...
- She received a pacemaker in mainland France in 2015, but her health continued to decline.
A Race Against Time: Young Woman Needs Double Heart-Liver Transplant
A 38-year-old woman from Reunion Island is facing a critical health challenge and urgently needs a double heart-liver transplant. Mirella was born with a complex congenital heart defect – a malformation of the tricuspid valve combined with a single ventricle – a condition that has defined her life since birth.
From the moment she was born, Mirella experienced a lack of oxygen, described as being a “blue baby.” She underwent her first open-heart surgery at just one year old. A second operation at age four was followed by a devastating complication: a blood clot that caused paralysis on her right side. “I was right-handed… I had to relearn everything with my left hand,” she recounts.
Despite these significant hurdles, Mirella persevered. She received a pacemaker in mainland France in 2015, but her health continued to decline. In 2015, her liver began to deteriorate as a consequence of her underlying heart condition. Now, in 2024, she has been told her heart is “wearing out,” with the valve weakening and allowing unoxygenated blood to circulate. Her liver function has also severely diminished, making each day a struggle.
Doctors have determined that a double heart-liver transplant is her only remaining hope. “This is the last chance I have left,” Mirella states, “the doctors are placing all their hopes in two transplants in order to finally have a life like any other.”
The need for a transplant necessitates a prolonged stay in mainland France – an estimated two to three years – far from her family. This extended period of medical care and recovery presents a significant financial burden. Mirella relies on a small disability pension, which will be insufficient to cover her living expenses, especially as her mother will accompany her to provide support, given Mirella’s ongoing challenges with independent living.
To help alleviate these financial pressures, a fundraising campaign has been launched. Mirella is appealing for assistance to cover the costs associated with her transplant journey. “Every gesture, even the smallest, can help me move towards this new chance of life I have been fighting since I was born. I don’t want to give up now,” she writes.
Congenital heart defects, like the one Mirella was born with, are structural problems with the heart present at birth. The tricuspid valve, responsible for regulating blood flow between the right atrium and right ventricle, is crucial for proper heart function. A malformation of this valve, coupled with a single ventricle (instead of the usual two), creates a complex and challenging condition. These defects can lead to reduced oxygen levels in the blood and require multiple interventions throughout a patient’s life.
The decision to pursue a double transplant – replacing both the heart and liver – is often reserved for cases where both organs are severely compromised and impacting each other. Liver dysfunction can occur as a result of chronic heart failure, as the heart’s inability to effectively pump blood can lead to congestion and reduced blood flow to the liver. Conversely, severe liver disease can also place a strain on the heart.
Transplantation is a complex medical procedure with inherent risks, including rejection of the transplanted organs, infection, and complications related to immunosuppressant medications. However, for individuals with end-stage organ failure, it often represents the only path to a significantly improved quality of life and increased longevity.
The case of Samantha Mazza, a 22-year-old who received a heart and liver transplant in November 2022, highlights the potential for a positive outcome following such a procedure. Mazza, who was born with hypoplastic right heart syndrome, underwent a successful double organ transplant at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford. Her story demonstrates the resilience of the human spirit and the life-changing impact of organ transplantation.
The need for organ donors remains a critical issue. Individuals interested in learning more about organ donation can visit organizations like Help Hope Live, which provides support to transplant recipients and their families. The availability of suitable organs is often a limiting factor in transplantation, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness about organ donation and encouraging individuals to register as donors.
Mirella’s situation underscores the challenges faced by individuals living with complex congenital heart conditions and the importance of access to specialized medical care. Her story is a testament to her strength and determination, and a plea for support as she embarks on this life-saving journey. Her departure for mainland France is scheduled for .
Those wishing to contribute to Mirella’s fundraising campaign can find more information here.