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 sheâs gone, her heart is still beating.
Because Kate was an organ donor, part of her is living on in someone else. Alyssa Sandeen received Kateâs heart â her second transplant in 15 years.
In the video below, Alyssa and Kateâs 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. âThank you so much,â Alyssa says. âItâs so nice to meet you.â
Alyssa brings along a teddy bear with her to give to Jennifer and her family. But it isnât just any plain bear. âPush the bear, thereâs something,â Alyssa says.
When Jennifer presses the bearâs stomach, Kateâs heartbeat starts playing and the mom breaks down in tears. âThatâs your daughterâs heartbeat,â Alyssa tells the mom. âYou can keep that with you, so you can hear it whenever you want.â
âI donât want to let it go. Just to hear her heartbeat â I canât explain it,â Jennifer says through tears.
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Photo credit: Little Things