With that special request to LeMaitre, Jade’s legacy began to take shape. Jade’s legacy of giving Allison gave birth to Jade by C-section at Ascension St. Joseph Hospital in Tawas City. Three members of Gift of Life’s staff were there to support Nick and Allison and to fulfill their wishes for Jade. Not only did she donate her heart valves to save the lives of other babies, her placenta is also helping heal patients with traumatic injuries, and Jade’s brain went to research Trisomy 18, Alzheimer’s and other neurological conditions. Recent news that one heart valve saved another baby’s life and changed a family forever is everything the Townsends hoped for. “We knew it would take a very unique situation. This means so much to us in many different ways,” Allison said. “It gives us comfort knowing that Jade continues to give back to this world.” Michael, from LeMaitre, said he needed Jade’s valve to be successfully transplanted so he
Jade Townsend was born with Trisomy 18 and lived just 55 minutes. Her heart valve was transplanted in April.
could permanently eliminate the company’s weight requirement. “When I heard the news I was just so happy. I’ve said it 100 times, but that’s the truth.” Dorrie Dils, Gift of Life’s president and CEO, said her staff could have decided not to ask LeMaitre, and the tissue partner could have turned down Gift of Life’s request. Instead, everyone thought about Allison, Nick, Jade and her potential recipients.
“The right thing happened,” Dorrie said. “Now one family is comforted knowing their daughter saved a life and another family is living with overwhelming gratitude for Jade’s ultimate gift.” Watch Jade’s story here:
“This means so much to us in many different ways. It gives us comfort knowing that Jade continues to
give back to this world.” — Allison Townsend, Jade’s mother
LifeLINES | 2023
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