Hope restored: Georgia woman receives heart-double lung transplant thanks to organ donation, family

Video: Chris McCauley and Mayen Ma

Linda Morgan's transplant journey has inspired many and will continue to do so as she shares her story with the world.Linda Morgan, a Georgia woman who endured a rare heart condition, is celebrating the first anniversary of her lifesaving heart transplant performed at the University of Alabama Birmingham. Morgan's journey to a second chance at life has been long and arduous, filled with many challenges and setbacks.

After she was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension 16 years ago, Morgan's condition steadily worsened, leading to multiple hospitalizations and a grim prognosis. Despite facing overwhelming odds, Morgan remained hopeful and determined to find a donor heart.

"I was told to start hospice and prepare to die," Morgan said. "But I never gave up hope."

Morgan's perseverance paid off when she received a call about a potential donor match. Within minutes of the conversation, she was on her way to UAB Hospital for the lifesaving surgery.

Requiring both a heart and set of lungs, Morgan received a block transplant. A multidisciplinary team is crucial for the successful management of heart-lung block transplants. Clinicians, case managers and other specialists work together to assess the patient's eligibility, prepare them for surgery and support them through the long recovery process.

Thanks to the generous gift of Jeffrey "Blake" Morris, a registered organ donor who passed away unexpectedly, Morgan was able to receive the lifesaving transplant. Morris' selfless decision, facilitated by Legacy of Hope, has forever changed Morgan's life.

Photography courtesy of Linda Morgan"Legacy of Hope is honored to support donor families during their grief journey," said Ann Rayburn, director of Education at Legacy of Hope. "It is a privilege to facilitate beautiful meetings between donor families and recipients like the one we witnessed between the family of Jeffrey 'Blake' Morris and Linda Morgan, heart and double lung recipient. On their darkest days, donor families think outside of themselves to help others. The meeting provided an opportunity for Blake's family to see firsthand the impact of Blake's decision to register as a donor, and Linda was able to say 'thank you' for the amazing gift she received."

Morgan's transplant surgery was a success, and she is now recovering well. She is determined to use her second chance to raise awareness about organ donation and encourage others to become donors. In summer 2024, Morgan participated in the World Transplant Games and even ran in its 5K race.

"I am so grateful to my donor and their family for giving me this second chance at life," Morgan said. "I will live my life to the fullest in honor of their selfless gift. I want people to know that there is hope. Even when things seem impossible, never give up."