McKenzie Leichtnam

Type of Donation:          tissue

Age and Location:          Age 20 – Del Rio, TX

Donation Date:             7/24/2011

Sponsor:                   Honored by Indiana Donor Network

MCKENZIE’S STORY

When McKenzie Leichtnam was born, on Oct. 14,1990, doctors quickly determined his heart was not functioning properly. He was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a condition where one side of his heart had not developed properly. To survive, he needed a heart transplant. He was put on the transplant waiting list at just three days old and 10 days later, a donor heart became available. After two months of recovery, McKenzie was sent home to celebrate his first Christmas with his parents and sister, Kelsey.

For the next 20 years, McKenzie lived a normal life. Twice-daily medicines kept his heart strong while monthly blood work and annual biopsies and stress tests monitored its function.

McKenzie completed 2 years at Vincennes University and was set to transfer to Indiana University to complete his undergraduate degree. Sadly, after a day of visiting campus, McKenzie unexpectedly passed away in his sleep at home. He was not able to be revived and died July 24, 2011, just shy of 21 years of age.

McKenzie was not only a transplant recipient, but upon his death, he became a tissue donor. His gift of tissue donation saved and healed the lives of others in need. But his impact did not end there.

McKenzie’s life and selfless decision to be a tissue donor inspired his sister, Kelsey, to pay it forward. Today, honoring McKenzie, his heart donor and the donor’s family, Kelsey works as a hospital liaison for Indiana Donor Network, the organization that managed her brother’s gift of life. Her work makes the gift of donation and transplantation possible for others.

“McKenzie's life was filled with friends, vacations, sporting events and an abundance of love,” Kelsey said. “His laugh was infectious. His jokes were hilarious. His love was once in a lifetime.”