Eight months after Matthew Heisler died in a house fire, his family was given the chance to hear his heartbeat again.
This time, the steady sound was coming from the body of Tom Meeks, a Vietnam veteran who had received Matthew’s heart following his tragic death.
Matthew, a 21-year-old student at the University of North Dakota, died in a March house fire. At 16, Matthew had signed up to be an organ donor. Honouring his wishes, his parents donated Matt’s heart to Meeks, who had been waiting years for the life-saving transplant.
Meeks may have never met the man who saved his life, but the two families are strangers no more.
Eight months after Matthew died, his family, including mom Cheryl, father Jared and younger sister Casey, met the grandfather of four.
“I woke up this morning and told Matt, ‘Mom and dad’s coming today,’” Meeks said.
In the emotional meeting, Matthew’s family each took turns listening to Meeks’ chest with a stethoscope.
“It’s awesome,” Jared Heisler said, his voice cracking with emotion.
Listening to the heartbeat, mom Cheryl Heisler whispered “thank you,” and hugged Meeks.
“Oh believe me, it’s my pleasure,” Meeks said as he wiped away tears.
Meeks wasn’t the only recipient of Matt’s generosity.
Two middle-aged women each received one of Matt’s kidneys, while a 61-year-old man received his liver.
Prior to the meeting, Matt’s younger sister Casey said her brother’s memory lives on.
“The heart that I grew up with, and felt in all of my hugs when I hugged him, that it’s still out there somewhere,” Casey said.
