Daughter Dies In Car Accident. 4 Years Later, Mom Hears Her Heartbeat Again

Kate Leekley was just 20 years old when she died after getting hit by a drunk driver in a motorcycle accident in 2013. But while she’s gone, her heart is still beating.

Because Kate was an organ donor, part of her is living on in someone else. Alyssa Sandeen received Kate’s heart — her second transplant in 15 years.

In the video below, Alyssa and Kate’s mom Jennifer meet for the first time after four years of planning.

Jennifer is nervous to meet the heart recipient, but once she sees Alyssa, she collapses into her arms and begins to sob. “Thank you so much,” Alyssa says. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

Alyssa brings along a teddy bear with her to give to Jennifer and her family. But it isn’t just any plain bear. “Push the bear, there’s something,” Alyssa says.

When Jennifer presses the bear’s stomach, Kate’s heartbeat starts playing and the mom breaks down in tears. “That’s your daughter’s heartbeat,” Alyssa tells the mom. “You can keep that with you, so you can hear it whenever you want.”

“I don’t want to let it go. Just to hear her heartbeat — I can’t explain it,” Jennifer says through tears.

Please SHARE this post on Facebook if you love the way Alyssa’s memory lives on.

Photo credit: Little Things


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