The families will meet Nov. 9, 2018, at 5 p.m. at The Johns Hopkins Hospital to commemorate the shared anniversary of Xavier’s death and Gwendolyn’s heart transplant. Xavier’s mother will place a stethoscope over Gwendolyn’s chest to hear the heartbeat. Media are invited to attend the event to capture the moment.

Please contact media relations prior to the event to confirm attendance and secure interviews.

What:

Organ Donation Donor Wall Ceremony at The Johns Hopkins Hospital
In observance of the 18-year anniversary of the Donor Wall at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, the mother of a 14-year-old boy who died at the hospital will meet the 13-year-old girl who received her son’s heart.

When:

Friday, Nov. 9, 2018
Donor Family and Recipient Meeting: 5 p.m.
Donor Wall Ceremony: 7 p.m.

Where:

The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Chevy Chase Bank Auditorium, Zayed Building
1800 Orleans St. Baltimore, MD 21287

Who:

Jennifer Young
Mother of Xavier Young, the seven-time organ donor. The organs were donated to five separate people.

Gwendolyn Ihm
13-year-old girl who is the recipient of the heart from Xavier.

Cathleen Ihm
Gwendolyn’s mother

Kristen Nelson, M.D.
Director, Pediatric Transport, The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Clint Burns, R.N.
Program Coordinator, Organ and Tissue Donation, The Johns Hopkins Hospital and The Living Legacy Foundation of Maryland

Debbi McRann
Chief Clinical Officer, The Living Legacy Foundation of Maryland
 

On the Web:

• A Wall of Remembrance: New display honors organ and tissue donors

• Younger Patients More Likely to Live a Decade or Longer After Heart Transplant