How a Kentucky toddler saved a Tennessee baby

The clock was ticking for a Tennessee baby with a failing heart, and time had already run out for a Kentucky toddler. Life continues because their paths crossed. ‪@AmandaHara‬ has the story: www.wsmv.com/2023/11/24/heros...

[@Tori_T_Artist]

A dying toddler saved 4 lives...Marc's, another baby's, a man's, and her mother's. Absolutely incredible ❤

[@AtarahDerek]

"We have a heart for your baby," has got to be the single most bittersweet thing a parent can hear. On the one hand, your child will live. On the other, another parent is now going through the grief you were desperately praying to be spared from.

[@chanabayla1823]

You have a Jewish name and if you're also Jewish you know that currently we don't believe in organ donation even if they aren't Jewish. That is in the process of changing however but hasn't yet

[@AtarahDerek]

@@chanabayla1823 I have never heard of Jews not believing in organ donation. That's a Jehovah Witness thing. Maaaaaybe the Ultra-Orthodox Jews, but they also believe in mailing bombs to Messianic Jews, so maybe don't take their beliefs seriously.

[@kaseys2004]

You know the mom whose baby is receiving feels happy yet sad to. You babies going to live but another had to pass for that to happen. Then knowing your child gone but saved another has it dual edged feeling as well. I'm glad they let them meet Mark its a healing thing.

[@annaroseannadanna1]

A 17 y/o boy died so my 12 y/o grand daughter could live. He also saved the lives of 3 other children and his little brother. It’s been 12 yrs and grand daughter is still going strong.

[@angiemansfield9381]

My 4 yr old nephew was the recipient of a liver from a 7 yr old boy who passed away. It’s been over a year and he is a different child. We will never forget the gift that that young mother gave, sharing life with my nephew. Organ donation is such a beautiful life changing gift.

[@coleworld4385]

It’s so bittersweet. To know someone has to lose someone in order for you to keep your someone… ❤ much love to both families

[@NekoNebula1313]

You never know what someone has gone through. Be mindful how you treat people 💞

[@themysticeye1]

A tiny baby saved four lives… definitely an Angel 👼

[@bon9410]

Oh my this is so sad for the mother who lost her sweet baby. Such a generous gift for baby Marc and his parents and others who have been given the gifts to help them. May blessings and healing be provided for all. Rest in peace baby angel girl❤

[@TheRandompaint]

Her little girl will live on in others for hundreds of years❤ all these parents are the strongests people in the world.

[@alysiam1]

OMG I’m pouring tears. Thank you for donating. God bless all of you

[@hotshot104]

Being able to realize your child could help another even after they tragically pass away is truly amazing. It is very hard for younger children to receive donations because many need them from other children because an adults are to large for them.

[@doodles3075]

Bless this wonderful mum for allowing her precious daughter to give the gift of life to another baby❤❤

[@PennyKemp1980]

I cried my eyes out. God give her peace.

[@N1oreo1]

Dang this story is painful to watch 😭 RIP Lena. Live strong Mark!

[@paulawheeler7847]

God bless that mother and may the Lord give them comfort knowing their daughter lives on may God bless these two families

[@gidgetnsweetpealacarter9797]

Very courageous and touching story. I love to hear about transplants and the doctors performing their magic! My mother was the recipient of a heart about 40 years ago. Incredible!

[@carlam3879]

My cousin had a heart transplant about 15 years ago... I could be off by a year or two. They estimated it to last for 10 years. So happy to hear someone gave your mother that gift also!

[@melissatorrey3910]

here i am with a toddler balling my eyes out because i cant even imagine what either parent went through. prayers to you both

[@jackiestowe6987]

I have stood in that beautiful group making that line. My son’s best friend was an organ donor. This made me cry, Tears for the loss, tears for the life.

[@jasestrickland1704]

Such a painful, painful story. God bless the families and especially the giving toddler and her beloved mom!

[@KaylaPearlCPNinja]

I feel so sorry for the mother who lost her toddler daughter to shunt failure. I have a shunt as well and I know that there’s some really bad implications if they start to malfunction and fail.

[@KS-cl8br]

Do you have intercranial hypertension? How long to you need the shunt? Best wishes to you?

[@KaylaPearlCPNinja]

@@KS-cl8brI had hydrocephalus when I was baby. I still have the shunt because I had a intraventricular hemorrhage before I was born and it led to me developing hydrocephalus. My parents have always told me that if my shunt doesn’t cause me any problems, then I shouldn’t have doctors mess with it.

[@ClarkKent-ic3pb]

He has the Heart But the Lord has that little girl's soul.

[@jennlead8534]

There’s no way I could be a news reporter on these types of stories. I would be bawling my eyes out. It’s so bitter sweet.

[@homeworshipwithmartyandamy7754]

Thank you for sharing your miracles.

[@themominator4745]

I can't think of a more heartwarming gift than this which both mothers received. Such selfless acts of love. So wonderful to see humans concerned for others than themselves.

[@sisfinley4091]

I'm so crying right now ih my heart is so full ❤😢

[@pernicecartwright8420]

AMEN ❤

[@Sea-cucumber1151]

What an unselfish gift I wish everyone would consider this beautiful gift of life to others! What beautiful parents that are beautiful loving parents enough that they shared their precious daughter so others didn’t feel the pain they did.

[@fraidypan9898]

Why it’s so important to donate, instead of three babies being gone two can live their life plus an adult…out of tragedy there can be such beauty ❤

[@MaddieBullock]

As someone with a shunt this breaks my heart. I wasn't expecting to hear how fast Lena got sick. 😭

[@kimmykimak3737]

I truly wish more people would consider organ donation, it will saved so many lives. And this a prime example of it. The gift of life❤

[@carolbaker579]

It's way too early in the morning to be crying, but here I am. God Bless these people.

[@keekers]

RIP Leena. Peace for your family. Hard and beautiful gift.

[@lisanidog8178]

Your toddler lives in this baby with that heart. I say this with tears of joy. The person’s organ not only saves another, but they live in that person. A beating heart, a functioning kidney, new lungs, someone’s corneas helps another see. Pass it on.

[@kathleenmayhorne3183]

My nepew had a heart defect, he had a valve replacement ar 2. We were told he would have reduced length of life. What I didn't now was the sock of surgery, would stop his veins from growing. He had a good run until hs teens, when his lungs collapsed. He got better again after the surgery, but as Dad, he started collapsing, folks thought him drunk, and pushed him into the gutter. He woke in hospital, didn't like being on oxygeh too much and went downhill. Love your boy while you have him and enjoy your lives.

[@dhays5019]

What a wonderful story. Sad for one mom & happy for another. But by them meeting the baby that received the heart does give some comfort. Pray 🙏🏻 all goes well and they can share their lives together. Miracles are from God

[@rarity9788]

This is why I’m an organ donor!! I hear stories like this and I cant think of anything I’d rather do as my last act on this earth than to give life to another. Through tears of pain and sorrow, others may have tears of joy and happiness. God bless those babies and all people who choose life!

[@tonialipsey5445]

What a blessing this family did for these families!! It has tears rolling down my cheeks. God’s little angel

[@janicescott-pair97]

God, bless. I love transplant stories. My uncle received a lung transplant, at the age of 51.😊😊

[@talapeanutbutter4250]

Now I’m crying like a baby! Wonderful but sad story. God Bless you mama for the best donation!😇

[@alyssacozart716]

Thank you to the family that offered others hope god bless you

[@aprilblankenship5496]

God bless these wonderful angels. I've seen some teddy bears people have given which has the heart beat of the donor for the family so they can hear that precious loved ones lifesaving heartbeat. Many families have found it to be helpful in the healing process.

[@marthastrayton]

“ we all family now!” So good to hear!! Praise God!

[@p.j.d.8199]

God bless Lena and her Mama, I couldn't help but cry

[@saradutoit8239]

Bittersweet and heartbreaking at the same time.😢💔🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@valeriedonaldson7137]

I'm ugly crying

[@L0vely_b0nes96]

As happy as I am that Mark's parents didn't have to suffer his loss, my heart breaks for the woman who lost her baby 💔

[@jaimscox2]

I'm not crying, you are.

[@mamaj6028]

Lena was definitely an angel ! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@ljlou5746]

An amazing story! The mother of the toddler carrying the box of her child, not releasing the grief, and burden of her child in the video. I pray she allows herself to release her grief. Grief can kill you. I pray she is enabled to surrender all her questions and unimaginable grief to her Heavenly Father. That mama needs a whole lot of healing love and restoration found in God. God bless you dear mother.❤

[@michellewatters4004]

This is one of the best feel good stories I’ve ever had the chance to watch. 🥰❤️🙏🏻

[@gladysvogel9442]

To God be the Glory! Even as painfully sad, this story Is about Love that never ends! Someday we will see Lina was just AN ANGEL IN A MISSION! ❤❤❤

[@holylandfan3275]

Tears are flowing! What an amazing LIFE story! Condolences for the mother’s loss. My heart breaks for you. You are a wonderful lady! 🙏

[@pernicecartwright8420]

I worked at SacredHeart Hospital Pensacola FL they were always doing Organ Harvest

[@jwhetstone100]

Omg the strength of Lena's mother is incredible❤😢❤😢❤😢❤ Much love to you mommy❤. Blessings to Marc and his mommy too❤

[@familynarayanan]

So proud of parents to make such difficult decision when they were so broken with the news of their own child. I cannot even imagine it, it’s truly touching.

[@lynsijaynesimpson]

Actually sobbing at this xx

[@coolstamper]

Beautiful babies!!! 💕❤️💕

[@gpk1982]

Regardless of how brief her life was, Lena had purpose. My we all find purpose within our lifetimes. 💕

[@YourRoyalMajesty.]

May Lena rest in Love and Light 💖🕯 Bless you sweet baby.

[@naroseb2901]

Bless them all and their families ❤️❤️

[@isisemkeb]

Such a great story, but sad at the same time for Lena's family. Luckily they can go through because of this beautiful lil'guy.

[@BJW6643]

So wonderful i am so proud of this little boy my sympathy goes out to you ❤❤

[@libbyjensen1858]

I feel so bad for the family that lost their baby!

[@lathafalls7675]

They will see there baby aging

[@ginadelsasso288]

What a touching story. We need more like these on the news for sure.

[@cool-o-koivibes1987]

Ah..awesome story. My tears are continuously pouring...blessed all the family and RIP little hero Lena.💔💔💔 so heart breaking

[@Kels42]

Knowing that your child has no chance to live but can save another and prevent another parent from taking that pain would be worth it.

[@rhondaphillips432]

BLESS BOTH THESE FAMILIES

[@Firefighter1997]

My grandson needed a shunt put in when he was born. By Thanksgiving he had 2 brain surgeries one to release the pressure and infection and then to put the shunt in. Then on Christmas Eve I was watching him and noticed that he was leaking spinal fluid from the side of his head. I called his parents and my wife and told them what was going on and told them that I called for an ambulance. I was never scared that bad before because I felt helpless. They had to transport him to a bigger hospital to have emergency surgery to remove the shunt that broke and he had to wait for the infection to go away so they could put another one in. So far it is working good and they keep checking it to make sure

[@lauraclaspill4176]

I love this so much such a true hero god is great ❤

[@pamwoods7215]

Oh my Gosh..Thank you for donating her organs, very selfless of you. So sorry your little one didnt make it. ❤🙏❤

[@LoveHealsAndProtects]

Brain dead does not mean dead! There are so many stories of those declared "dead" coming back to life. But my heart goes out to both families!!

[@juliemcmenamy1294]

I have a friend whose jeep rolled and crushed his head, causing him to lose half of his brain. The doctors and nurses were very persistent about donating his organs. His mom said, “No! He is going to need them when he walks out of this hospital.” They said he would never make it, but because of his mom’s faith in God, and a lot of prayers, he is living a normal life today! Nothing is impossible for God!

[@LoveHealsAndProtects]

Thank you for writing this amazing story. Yes, the Bible paints a very different reality than the medical community pushes on us

[@beththompson2188]

That would be a great title to this story “The keeper of Lena’s heart” 🥰

[@colleenstevens5121]

God bless you all!!!

[@VegasLady81]

I saw a similar story where a man lost his daughter and her heart was given to an adult man, and that father rode a bicycle many miles to meet the donor recipient, and the recipient had a stethoscope, so the father could hear his daughter's heart beat in this man's chest. I cried. That's gotta suck losing a child like that.

[@TheSouthernLady777]

What a blessing for everyone involved.

[@kerrystonec2485]

This is so sad to watch...why is the world so cruel to take such beautiful loved kids away from those who love and adore them. So sad that one beautiful child was lost but Mark and others were saved..one more angel 😇 in heaven..

[@kelleymorris6541]

😭 so sad but so very beautiful also❤❤

[@shellykeltz203]

This is why as tragic as it is to loose someone we need to donate their body’s organs to save others as well to have them live on through others💕

[@sharonpolak8410]

What a beautiful love story.

[@odettegordonyo]

Long live this love, this extended family ❤

[@richardmartinez6057]

Those two 😍 children will see each other in heaven 😇🙏☝️

[@joanwallace1373]

Beautiful story. God bless each of you.

[@ladyp1823]

Wow! Bless that precious heart!! 🌺

[@showmegalusa4521]

God intervened. This was a miracle and no human could take credit it for this miracle.

[@MaryShoemaker-wi4fy]

Prayers sent for strength and faith that God has your baby in HIS arms 🙏💯📖

[@cindylee7855]

Tennessean here...man my heart breaks and rejoices for all these people.

[@Whynotcreate]

This is so heartbreaking

[@linda-louiseanthony9802]

Organ donation. Truly a wonderful gift to give ❤

[@Truchrissy76]

Jesus this is so beautiful and so sad all at the same time God bless them

[@fidgetdestroyer3117]

I'm sobbing 😭

[@user-tq9vs6fc9u]

Lina will always be a hero. ❤️

[@user-mz7ov3pz7j]

Oh god! 😭😭precious little ones. 😭😭 Darling little Lena gave the gift of life! A beautiful and loving family gave her organs away. Life is so fragile. So sorry for your loss of your little girl 😢❤ She’s an angel in heaven. 👼🏻 Little Mark lives on. Plus, others as well. May God bless these dear families. Together and united for life. ❤💕🌹🧸🙏

[@countrymom2023]

It's sad that Lena passed away but at the same time she lives in another child I cried like a baby watching this god bless these 2 families that have been brought together ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@bellarees3817]

My heart is sad for your loss. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus dear lady and you WILL see your Lena again. God bless you

[@beatricemarquez5861]

What a beautiful story of love. Love both families greatly had for their babies! My deep condolences for Lena’s mother! God bless you and comfort you and give up dreams and visions of Lena having a wonderful time in heaven! Blessings!

[@Angelluvs05]

Omg 🥺 I can't begin to imagine that kind of pain & grief 💔 Marks a beautiful lil boy 💙 Lena's a beautiful lil angel 👼🏼💖 May Lena's parents ALWAYS find peace & comfort in knowing they'll see their baby girl again someday,,, praying baby Mark grows up to be a strong & healthy man 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@user-yg6un2wf7v]

What a blessing such a beautiful thing my deepest sympathy goes out to the donor family 😢❤🇨🇦

[@kellymyerson29]

❤ That was a beautiful story.

[@keepingupwithkennedy2663]

This is so touching ❤

[@JessicaDuBois]

This is so bittersweet 😢❤

[@izabelkhouri4432]

This is as heartbreaking as it is heartwarming. It brought back stored memories. My grandma and I witnessed my grandfather's death following complications of a kidney transplant. He still insisted on being an organ donor himself. Its a blur but I believe it was 6 or 7 people he helped. Like these sweet women, they came, thanked us, cried with us, and insisted on honoring him on the donor wall of the hospital. My heart breaks for the mother, but its incredible her daughter even gave her a second chance at life by discovering her cancer before it was too late.

[@sheimellwells7371]

Such a beautiful story about a sweet little angel 👼🏼 Rest in Paradise sweet Lena bless these families 🙏🏽🙏🏽😇