Heart Recipients

Lacey Wood

Thirteen-year-old Lacey Wood moves in one mode -- full speed ahead -- not wanting to waste one minute of her second chance at life. At 18 months old she received the heart of a 22-month-old boy after a virus attacked her heart. Now the eighth grade snowboard dynamo attacks the ski slopes with finesse, and will go for the gold at two transplant winter events in Europe next month.

"I know life is precious," says Lacey -- also known as Lucky Lacey. 'want to squeeze every bit of fun out of it -- going to Europe to snowboard with other transplant kids is the opportunity of a lifetime. I can't wait to get there and meet a ton of new friends from all over the world. I may even get the chance to paraglide off an alp!"

Lacey and her mother Colleen hope their trek overseas will help raise awareness of the critical need for donors. As Colleen puts it, "The next time a child needs a heart, I want to do everything in my power to make sure one is available." Colleen and Lacey know it's an uphill battle.

Lacey and Colleen will head from Sacramento via Los Angeles to Geneva, December 30, for the Tackers Ski Camp (Transplant Adventures Camp for Kids) to be held in Anzere, Switzerland from January 4 - 12. From there, they plan to go on to the Nicholas Cup, (named for Nicholas Green, a seven-year-old California boy who made international news when he became a donor while vacationing with his family in Italy in 1994). The Nicholas Cup will be held in Bormio, Italy from January 18 - 26. Lacey will be the only US child to race against others from around the world who have received a transplant. Nicholas' father Reg will be there, along with Roger Moore of "007" fame.

Colleen Wood says of her daughter, "She's a real testament to how successful transplant can be, and what a second chance can mean, not only for her -- but for her family, friends, and those who love her."

Lacey is now the student body president at Mountain Creek Middle School. She's a drummer in her school band and also plays on the school's volleyball and basketball teams. And like any other teenage girl, she loves boys and makeup. She's also said to be working up a mean karaoke routine for the evening festivities at the Transplant Games.

Janet Kappes, the Executive Director of Golden State Donor Services, the organ procurement agency in Lacey's hometown of Sacramento, California says, "Lacey epitomizes the statement 'it's about giving life.' Lacey absolutely embraces life. She's able to do that because another family made the decision to turn their tragedy into hope by allowing their loved one to become a donor. During this holiday season, we urge families to think about giving the gift of life and share that decision with their loved ones. As Lacey illustrates each and everyday 'it's about giving life.'"

Reference and Publication Information

The United Network for Organ Sharing is committed to providing accurate and reliable information for transplant patients. To learn more about our content authorship and review process, please read about our Editorial Board.

The content on this page was originally created on December 20, 2002 by the United Network for Organ Sharing and last modified on August 25, 2005.

This Web site is intended solely for the purpose of electronically providing the public with general health-related information and convenient access to the data resources. UNOS is not affiliated with any one product nor does UNOS assume responsibility for any error, omissions or other discrepancies.