NEED TO KNOW
Eva Havens’ son, Raleigh, and Michelle Evans’ son, Shaun, both had serious heart complications as infants and underwent heart transplants
The mothers reunited to celebrate one year after their boys life-saving surgeries at Nationwide Children’s Hospital
“We are so thankful for our donors and their heroic acts to come forward and support our boys and give a gift of life,” Shaun’s father Rayshaun said
Two Ohio toddlers are celebrating a year since they both received life-saving heart transplants.
Eva Havens and Michelle Evans bonded at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio while their sons, Raleigh Havens and Shaun Evans, were awaiting heart transplants amid serious health complications, NBC4 Columbus reported.
Their boys — who were nicknamed “The Berlin Boys” by hospital staff, referring to the device keeping them alive — went on to receive pediatric heart transplants just weeks apart.
“[I was] very scared for what the future would hold for both of these kids,” Eva told the outlet. “They were both in very critical condition when we first met.”
“We were big sources of support for each other,” Eva added, speaking of Michelle.
RunPhoto/Getty Images
Stock image of a doctor
According to local news outlet 10TV, Raleigh was 11 weeks old when he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy.
Shaun was six months old when his parents Rayshaun and Michelle first discovered that he was in heart failure after several doctor appointments, 10TV reported. The concerned mom recalled doctors thinking her son wouldn’t survive the weekend at one point.
In a YouTube video shared by Nationwide Children’s, Dr. Nandi said his team had to “quickly move forward” with installing a ventricular assist device to sustain Shaun’s life before months of waiting for a pediatric heart.
Shaun successfully had surgery on June 29, 2024, and 11 days later was healthy enough to be discharged from the hospital, 10TV reported.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Raleigh and Shaun are no longer hospital patients but have to continue therapy. They will remain immunocompromised for the remainder of their lives, according to NBC4 Columbus.
Rayshaun shared his gratitude for his son’s organ donor, emotionally saying, “Just knowing that someone had to experience that to save the next.”
The PEOPLE App is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more!
“But in all, we are so thankful for our donors and their heroic acts to come forward and support our boys and give a gift of life,” he continued.
Eva described watching the two boys play together a year after they underwent surgery as “like witnessing a miracle in real life, truly.”
“It’s like you have to pinch yourself,” she added.
Read the original article on People
