Pediatric Transplant Center News

Discover news and patient stories about our Transplant Center in the media.

In the News

May 2020 – Faster donor matching saves girl Ivanhoe Broadcast News To cut down the wait time on pediatric heart transplants, the pediatric cardiology team at Packard Children’s created a new way to better match donor hearts to heart transplant recipients based on total cardiac volume. John Dykes, MD, is featured.

April 2020 – Ben Thornton is headed to college, thriving with a second heart and a set of wheels The Press Democrat Story features a patient who received a heart transplant at Packard Children’s.

December 2019 – Rose Parade float to honor Richmond teen saved by liver transplant The East Bay Times Former Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford transplant patient Khalieghya Dandie-Evans is featured. She rode atop the Donate Life float in the 131st Rose Parade in Pasadena on New Year’s Day.

November 2019 – Justin’s Journey: Teen’s Positive Outlook Following Diagnosis of Loeffler’s Syndrome Ivanhoe Broadcast News Story of a patient who was diagnosed at a young age with Loeffler’s syndrome, a rare disease of the heart lining that causes the walls of the heart to be rigid. After receiving a heart transplant at Packard Children’s in 2018, he’s been enjoying life to its fullest. Seth Hollander, MD is interviewed.

September 2019 – Facebook plea prompts mother of 3 to donate kidney to stranger NBC Bay Area NBC’s Bay Area Proud told the story of a stranger who gave the ultimate gift of life to a two-year-old patient after following his story on Facebook and learning he would need a kidney transplant to survive.

June 2019 – Teen patient uses 'Wish' to pay it forward NBC Bay Area Packard Children’s patient Justin Wang, who received a heart transplant at Packard Children’s, is helping others with his new heart-healthy cookbook.

April 2019 – Teen heart transplant recipient celebrates launch of new heart-healthy cookbook Fox Bay Area (KTVU-TV) When Justin Wang was two-years-old, he was diagnosed with Loeffler’s syndrome, a rare disease of the heart lining. At age four he underwent his first open heart surgery at Packard Children’s, and last April he received a heart transplant. One-year post-transplant Justin is celebrating with his wish from Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area to publish a cookbook with heart healthy recipes. The cookbook was unveiled at Ronald McDonald House at Stanford this week.

March 2019 – Touching gift from nurse brings teen awaiting transplant to tears NBC Bay Area (KNTV-TV) Colin James, RN, a nurse at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, gave a guitar signed by singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran to a 15-year-old patient awaiting a kidney transplant. James and music therapist Rebekah Martin are featured in this segment.

November 2018 – How Lucile Packard's revamped donor matching processes for heart patients Becker's Hospital Review To cut down the wait time on pediatric heart transplants, the pediatric cardiology team at Packard Children's created a new way to better match donor hearts to heart transplant recipients. John Dykes, MD, is quoted.

April 2018 – Future leaders with Ben Thornton from Maria Carrillo Cal-Hi Sports Bay Area At age three, Ben Thornton underwent a heart transplant at Packard Children’s to treat a dangerous type of cardiomyopathy. Then one of the youngest patients to be placed on a Berlin Heart while awaiting surgery, Ben is thriving today as an active, adaptive sports athlete. Daniel Bernstein, MD, is interviewed.

March 2018 – Two young heart transplant survivors meet, form ‘exclusive club’ they never asked to join Fox Bay Area (KTVU) Story profiles the connection of two patients who both received heart transplants and treatment at the hospital.

June 2017 – 9-year-old recovering from double lung transplant at Stanford ABC Bay Area. Segment highlights the story of a brother and sister duo who both underwent successful double lung transplants at Packard Children’s. Carol Conrad, MD, is interviewed.

November 2016 – Heart transplant recipient tries to find and thank organ donors CBS Bay Area KPIX-TV In 1987, 2-year-old Corie Crowe's heart was failing but her family's insurance did not cover heart transplants. A KPIX-TV news story called attention to the case and the Crowes learned that Kaiser was able to cover the transplant. Crowe recently reunited with the story's reporter, Barbara Rodgers. Daniel Bernstein, MD, is interviewed.

November 2016 – Silicon Valley hospitals are emerging as organ transplant pioneers for children Silicon Valley Business Journal Cover story explores the Pediatric Transplant Center’s history and role as the leading transplant program in the region. Dennis Lund, MD, chief medical officer, and Carlos Esquivel, MD, are quoted throughout.

August 2016 – Stanford Blood Center, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital sending transplant recipients to camp Palo Alto Online Story highlights Packard Children’s annual Solid Organ Transplant Camp.

July 2016 – How Lucile Packard became a leader in pediatric organ transplants FierceHealthcare Article highlight’s Packard’s leadership in the field of pediatric organ transplants, attributing the growth and success of the transplant program to evolving technologies, the leadership of our skilled surgeons, and collaboration among physicians. Dennis Lund, MD, chief medical officer, and Carlos Esquivel, MD, are quoted.

July 2016 – A summer camp for organ transplant recipients KCRB North Bay Public Radio Story highlights Packard Children’s annual Solid Organ Transplant Camp.

Press Releases

June 2018 – One donor liver, two lives saved

March 2018 - Nationwide leader in pediatric transplant, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford performed 117 pediatric organ transplants in 2017

November 2016 - A record number of organ transplants at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford in October

June 2016 - Pediatric Liver Team and Young Patient’s Family Help Him Thrive Three Years After Surgery

April 2016 - Transplant program at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford again recognized as a national leader

August 2015 - Five lifesaving organ transplants in 48 hours means a very busy weekend at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford

August 2015 - Three-year-old receives lifesaving heart transplant

Healthier, Happy Lives Blog

April 2020 – Three year old thriving after kidney transplant

September 2019 – Stranger donates kidney to save young Packard Children’s patient thanks to the power of social media

April 2019 – Life before and after organ transplant

July 2018 - San Francisco Giants celebrate ‘Donate Life Day’

March 2018 – The four-pound fighter

November 2017 – New documentary describes heart transplant family’s journey

June 2017 - Siblings with double-lung transplants beat the odds

April 2017 -  Teams on a transplant journey

November 2016 - Breaking records and blazing trails

April 2016 - The power of organ donation

July 2015 - Sharing the experience of transplant through summer camp