Keeping up with Gavin

Gavin Morgan has a "heart for bowling," his mother, Heather, says. More importantly, he has a healthy heart. At 3 months old, Gavin received a heart transplant, and at age 5, he has - for unknown reasons to his parents – selected a noisy game with a hefty ball as his favorite activity.

For hours at home, he lines up tiny bowling pins on a ledge and knocks them down, throws them on the roof of the house and into trees. It's all so hilarious to the happy little boy.

As a result of a generous donor family who agreed to give the organs of a loved one, Gavin has a full life. He watches Wipeout, his favorite TV show; kisses his new sister Madeline who is 18 months old and says, "You're so cute."

"We're just lucky. We say thanks every day," Heather said. '"You’re still scared but you've got to get out there, and as long as he’s doing good, we’re doing good. We ARE a little nervous about starting school though."

Gavin started life in precarious circumstances, hooked up to tubes, struggling to survive.

Today Gavin is thriving and even painted
the awards for The Living Bank gala

Gavin takes immunosuppressant medications to prevent rejection of his heart and will, most likely, for the rest of his life, which makes him more susceptible to germs. Every moment of every day, his parents are alert for any hint of problems.

Recently dad, Wade, had one of those panicky moments. After seeing a Seasame Street episode about the heart beating faster after exercise, Gavin ran around the house, then went to his dad and said, "Dad, my heart's beating real fast."

A rapid heart beat was a symptom Gavin experienced before his heart transplant. Fortunately, all is well. Coming up in November, it's off to Disney World to celebrate the birthday boy's 5th year as a healthy, active child. It’s just one more adventure among the many he will have a chance to enjoy because someone cared.