Asia Werner, Heart Transplant Recipient

Born on December 22nd, 1999 nine weeks premature with multiple heart defects, Asia spent nearly half of her first year in the hospital undergoing multiple surgeries. She was listed for a heart transplant at nine months and by her first birthday her life expectancy was being measured in hours. On the evening of her birthday she was given the gift of life. Our hero was a seven month old little boy from Iowa who we believe still watches over her.

Because of her hero, Asia has had the opportunity to not only grow into a beautiful teenager but her life has been a testament to what organ donation can do. Asia is an honor student, is in her school’s Drama Club and Jazz Band, she is a wonderful pianist and percussionist, she is an amazing soccer player, was on her school’s track & field team, she enjoys archery, and she participated in the 2012 Transplant Games of America winning six gold and five silver medals.

Asia participates in community fundraising and raises awareness of organ donation through volunteer work with LifeCenter sharing her story at local BMVs, schools, churches, and news outlets. As a LifeCenter Donate Life Ambassador, Asia also had the opportunity to represent organ recipients at the State House where she was introduced by the Speaker in the Ohio State House of Representatives and to the Ohio House Committee on Health and Aging. All of these actions are to honor her donor and ensure his legacy continues to have an impact in this world.

Dawn Werner

Mother of Asia, Heart Transplant Recipient.