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2015 RIDER

  ALMA FELIZ

Heart Recipient
Age 34 ~ Irvine, CA
Claims Adjuster

Sponsored by Loma Linda University Medical Center


In 1989, nine-year-old Alma Liliana Feliz was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. She experienced chest pain often as her condition worsened. On February 2, 1992, she received her first heart transplant. During the next 14 years she led a normal life. In December 2004, Alma began to feel chest pain again and was diagnosed with coronary artery disease, a common, long-term side effect of some of her medication. Because she had already had a heart transplant, her only option for treatment was another heart transplant. "I was given another chance to live. I am so thankful and still to this day cannot believe I have had two heart transplants."


Alma's Story

In 1989, when Alma Liliana Feliz was nine years old, she was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disease. She began seeing a cardiologist. Her diet changed drastically and she had to take medication daily. Chest pain was something she experienced often.

In early 1991, Alma's heart condition worsened and she needed a heart transplant. On the morning of February 2, 1992, she received her first heart transplant. During the next 14 years she met her little sister Gabriela Moreno (born October 17, 1998), finished school with a BA in psychology, traveled, went to concerts, made many new friends, went to theme parks, began working as a teacher's aide and met the love of her life.

"It was thanks to someone's selfless decision that I was able to experience so much in life," she said. "It was a great 14 years."

In December 2004, Alma began to feel chest pain again and was diagnosed with coronary artery disease - clogged arteries - a common, long-term side effect of some of her medication. Because she had already had a heart transplant, her only option for treatment was another heart transplant.

"This time around it was different," said Alma. "I was now 25 years old with responsibilities. Now more people would miss me if I were gone. I wanted to continue living and agreed to be placed on the heart transplant list. I always knew there was a chance I would not get a second heart, but it was all in God's hands. I continued my normal life until my new heart became available, March 8, 2006."

Today, Alma is 34 and married to a very supportive man, Jeremiah Feliz. She is grateful every day for the selfless decision someone made 22 years ago.

"I was given another chance to live. I am so thankful and still to this day cannot believe I have had two heart transplants," she said. "I thank God for this opportunity every day and I encourage everyone to sign up to be donors. In fact, many of my friends have become donors thanks to my story."