At the age of 7, Candice Monroe's sister was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. At a young age, Monroe describes her experience to be terrifying as she looked up to her older sister dearly. Eventually, her sister received a second chance at life through organ donation.
Candice was the normal teenager who loved to spend time with family and friends, do track, study, and perform other daily activities. One day, Candice started experiencing flu like symptoms such as fatigue. She did not think much of this, until one day, she was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. At only 15, she was scared and didn't know what the future held for her. She was told by doctors that if she wanted to see her 16th birthday, she would need a heart transplant. She was in the hospital for 2 weeks. Those 2 weeks felt like an eternity as she suffered and wasn't able to see her family often. On February 7, 2002, she received the "magic call" that a heart transplant was waiting for her.
Today, Ms. Candice Monroe is able to live life to the fullest because someone decided to say "yes" to organ donation. She is so grateful towards her donor and her family, who have given her a second chance at life. I, myself, have been lucky to get to know such a kind, amazing, courageous and funny human being who never fails to put a smile on anyone's face. I am so honored and lucky to have had the opportunity to interview her.
In this photo, Ms. Candice is holding a photo of her donor's dad, Chuck, who is listening to
his daughter's heart beat for the first time. Candice and Chuck are very close friends, who keep in touch often and share the joy of the gift of life.