After living with cardiomyopathy for 17 years, Terri Cecere received a life-saving heart transplant in 2022 — just four days after being placed on the waiting list. Today, she honours her donor through gratitude, advocacy, and living life with purpose. This is her story of a second chance and a gift she describes in one word: transformative.

1. Which organ did you receive, and in what year?
I received a heart transplant in 2022.

2. How long were you on the waiting list for your organ?
4 days – I was in hospital on an Impella heart pump.

3. What was life like before the transplant? How did you spend your days?
Prior to my Heart transplant, the first at the Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio on November 6, 2022, I managed cardiomyopathy for 17 years. Still, during all that time I was able to live a mostly normal life. The fact that my heart was weak and getting weaker was always present, but I tried hard not to let it keep me from enjoying my family and friends and living life. When COVID hit in 2020, my husband and I isolated ourselves because of my compromised status. It was during that time that my cardiac metrics declined, but because I was largely inactive, the decline was less noticeable. I presented as less compromised, but the fact that I was less active seemed to mask my true condition.

4. Describe the emotions experienced when you received “The Call” for a transplant?
I was in hospital on an Impella heart pump when I received the call that there was a match and that my transplant was imminent. I had only been officially listed as Status 2 for 4 days when I received the news. I was overwhelmed with emotions: disbelief that it was about to happen, gratitude for the gift I was about to receive, and concern for the donor and donor family. Truly mixed emotions, but an overall sense of peace and surprisingly calm.

5. What is life like now, after the transplant?
Since the transplant, there have been some ups and downs, as is typically the case. Still, the overwhelming emotion I feel is gratitude. Gratitude for every day; for the big moments in life like birthdays and anniversaries and the birth of our great-grandson in February of 2026. I work hard to honor the gift and my hero donor by taking care of myself, following all the medical protocols, and doing all I can to live a meaningful and purposeful life. My husband and I have become very active in advocacy for organ, eye, and tissue donation and tell our stories whenever possible to help raise awareness of the need for donation. We recently attended the 2026 Transplant Games of America, which was an amazing way to connect with recipients, donor families, and living donors from all over the world.

6. What advice would you give patients on the waiting list?
Stay as healthy and active as your condition allows; you will need strength during and post-transplant! Be sure to educate yourself about the process, ask questions, and seek input from others who have had a similar experience.

7. Why do you think there is a shortage of donors?
Lack of awareness, lack of education and so much misinformation.

8. If you could describe transplant in one word, what would it be?
Transformative.