The heart of 7-year-old Marina Ferreira Rocha, who died in a quadricycle accident, was successfully donated to 18-month-old Sophia Vitória, who required a heart transplant.
Marina Ferreira Rocha, a 7-year-old girl from Teresina, Brazil, tragically passed away following a quadricycle accident. Her heart was donated to Sophia Vitória, an 18-month-old baby suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy, a serious heart condition. The donation was facilitated by the Transplant Central of Piauí, where quick action was paramount to ensure the heart was viable for surgery.
Sophia had been diagnosed with the heart condition in November 2024 and her family had relocated to Fortaleza to seek the crucial treatment needed for her survival. The dilated cardiomyopathy left her heart weakened, necessitating a transplant to ensure she could sustain a healthy life. Thanks to the successful operation, both Sophia's parents are currently at the hospital supporting her recovery.
Lourdes Veras, the coordinator of the Transplant Central of Piauí, underscored the urgency involved in the transplantation process, especially noting the very limited time frame for which a donated heart remains viable outside the body. The successful collaboration amongst medical teams highlights the importance of organ donation and how it can provide a second chance at life for young patients like Sophia, who are in dire need of transplants to overcome life-threatening conditions.
