Boy's Family Thankful For Donated Organ
Organization Urging People To Become DonorsWBAL TV
BALTIMORE -- In honor of April being Donate Life Month, a Harford County family is telling the story of how an organ donation saved their son's life.
Bradley Catterton seems like any other 10-year-old who loves sports, but just a few years ago, he couldn't dream of being so active because he was born with several heart conditions. At age 8, doctors told his parents he needed a heart transplant.
"It was very scary, thinking, 'Oh my gosh, he needs a new heart.' But on the other hand, I thought, 'A new heart's going to make him better,'" said Bradley's mother, Michele Catterton.
Bradley spent 11 days in a hospital on a transplant waiting list before his family got word that there was a heart on the way. The boy suffered a stroke during surgery, making his recovery more difficult.
But after recovery and physical therapy, he's back to being himself, his family said, and they're working with Donate Life Maryland to encourage everyone to become a donor.
"There is a tremendous need for transplantable organs in the United States. Currently, there are over 110,000 individuals on a national wait list, and 2,000 of those individuals reside here within the state of Maryland," said Natalie Benavides of Donate Life Maryland.
The Catterton family said it is eternally grateful to Bradley's donor family for allowing their little girl's heart to save his life. They visited that family in Michigan and have created a lifelong bond.
"He and Rick, his donor's father, hit it off great. Still today, they talk on the phone. We talk with them regularly. He plays PlayStation 3 online with our donor dad," Catterton said. "I think it helps all of them tremendously. They call him their little brother because it's a family of all girls, so now they have a little brother."
To become a donor and dictate the type of donation you'd like to make, click on the Donate Life Maryland link above.
Bradley Catterton seems like any other 10-year-old who loves sports, but just a few years ago, he couldn't dream of being so active because he was born with several heart conditions. At age 8, doctors told his parents he needed a heart transplant.
"It was very scary, thinking, 'Oh my gosh, he needs a new heart.' But on the other hand, I thought, 'A new heart's going to make him better,'" said Bradley's mother, Michele Catterton.
Bradley spent 11 days in a hospital on a transplant waiting list before his family got word that there was a heart on the way. The boy suffered a stroke during surgery, making his recovery more difficult.
But after recovery and physical therapy, he's back to being himself, his family said, and they're working with Donate Life Maryland to encourage everyone to become a donor.
"There is a tremendous need for transplantable organs in the United States. Currently, there are over 110,000 individuals on a national wait list, and 2,000 of those individuals reside here within the state of Maryland," said Natalie Benavides of Donate Life Maryland.
The Catterton family said it is eternally grateful to Bradley's donor family for allowing their little girl's heart to save his life. They visited that family in Michigan and have created a lifelong bond.
"He and Rick, his donor's father, hit it off great. Still today, they talk on the phone. We talk with them regularly. He plays PlayStation 3 online with our donor dad," Catterton said. "I think it helps all of them tremendously. They call him their little brother because it's a family of all girls, so now they have a little brother."
To become a donor and dictate the type of donation you'd like to make, click on the Donate Life Maryland link above.
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