Hays teen gets a new heart, a renewed shot at life
Six weeks after being matched for a heart transplant, 16-year-old Kaylee Stuart of Hays received a new heart at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City to replace her lifelong HLHS condition; doctors initially worried she might need liver and kidney transplants, but those organs are recovering with improved circulation from the new heart; Kaylee’s recovery is ahead of schedule and she may return home in August as she resumes school; a GoFundMe has raised about $28,000 to support her transplant journey, and the family remains grateful to the donor and donor family while respecting privacy rules; they also hope to pursue a Make-A-Wish trip once Kaylee is able to travel.