10 years ago this month, NTV News brought you the story of a Grand Island baby in need of a heart transplant. We decided to find her family to learn what ever happened to little Anna Korte.
Anna was born a healthy, beautiful baby girl. But in March of 2000, at just seven months old, she got sick. Her parents thought it was RSV. It turned out to be much worse. Anna had Cardiomyopathy, which is an enlarged and weakened heart that doctors believe was brought on by a virus.
Anna topped the transplant list and 21 days later received a donor heart from an eight month old baby from the east coast.
Dancing to her Nintendo Wii video game, Anna Korte doesn't even have to stop to catch her breath. Like most 10 year olds, she's constantly in motion.
Anna Korte, a heart transplant patient, said, "I like to swim a lot. That's one of my favorite sports and I like basketball because you can get aggressive when you do it."
For her parents, there are now tears of joy.
Chris Korte, Anna's mom, said, "We're so blessed. It's just amazing because she is a miracle. God was with us. Our family was with us. Our community was with us."
Anna still has to go in for check-ups and biopsies every three months. So far so good. "She's had two bouts of rejection early on and her heart has been very healthy since that time," said Chris. "But, every time we go to a checkup, we always have that fear."
The Kortes believe Anna might need a second heart transplant in the future if her current heart stops growing along with her. Yet instead of focusing on the "what if," the family plans to celebrate her 10th heart birthday on April first which, coincidentally, marks the start of "Donate Life Month."
"I don't know how the donor family does that. We're so blessed that they gave such an amazing gift," added Chris.
While Anna doesn't know her donor family's name, she keeps them in her prayers every night.
She explained, "I say thank you for my donor family because I'm just so thankful for them because they gave their little baby's heart for me."
Every cuddle is a reason why the Kortes can't imagine what life would've been like without her.
Mike Korte, Anna's dad, said, "Yeah, she's definitely daddy's little girl. She might not agree with
that, but she has me wrapped around her finger easily."
Anna doesn't like to look at the pictures from when she was sick choosing instead to look forward without skipping a beat.
"Cause I feel so glad that I'm here today," she said.
Anna is now down to two medications she has to take daily, including one to boost her immune
system.
She and her parents say they're giving back by working with charities like the Ronald McDonald House and Locks of Love.
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