Ohio Girl Receives Life-Saving Heart Transplant
An 11-year-old girl from Ohio, Ava Cooper, recently underwent a heart transplant after enduring significant health challenges, including four open laparotomies by the age of five.
Ava spent over 200 days on the transplant list before receiving the surgery at Cleveland Clinic. Born with multiple heart defects, her first surgery took place just six days before her fifth birthday, followed by three more procedures. For nearly five years, she experienced no symptoms, but things began to change in the summer of 2024.
“Ava started to show signs of illness. I noticed she was waking up with swelling in her face and struggling to breathe; her doctors diagnosed her with heart failure,” shared Jamie Cooper, her mother.
After a thorough evaluation, doctors determined that further surgeries wouldn’t be beneficial, and they decided she needed a new heart, as explained by Dr. Madeleine Townsend. Ava was placed on the transplant list in September 2024, and by March 2025, her family received the call they had been waiting for—the availability of a donor heart. She had the transplant at the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital.
Ava’s father, Sean Cooper, recalled his emotions upon hearing the news about the new heart. “When you see your child going through such hardships, it’s truly a blessing,” he remarked.
Jamie noted that Ava’s recovery has been promising post-surgery. “She’s improving every day. The further we get from the transplant date, the better she looks,” she added.
The Cooper family tried to maintain a sense of normalcy despite Ava’s lengthy hospital stay, celebrating her birthday, Christmas, and even sharing Sunday dinners together. In February 2025, Ava had a special moment dancing with her father at the hospital.
“I missed my school dance with Dad, so this was magical. I got to dance to my favorite songs with him,” the 11-year-old said.
About a month post-surgery, Ava’s new heart is functioning well and showing no signs of rejection, although the medical team will continue to monitor her closely.
Jamie believes her daughter has a greater purpose. “I truly believe God has given her this gift to achieve amazing things,” she expressed.
