Nationwide — Malia Croley, a 5-year-old African American girl from Lexington, Kentucky, received a life-saving heart transplant this week after months of battling a serious heart condition. The surgery gives her a new chance at life and hope for the future.
Malia has been fighting cardiomyopathy, a chronic heart disease, since early last year. Her family spent eight months at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, facing long days of worry as they waited for a suitable donor.
Her mother, Jerrica Croley, described the moment they got the call about a matching heart. “One night I was sitting beside Bia, and they called, and I cried, and she was like, ‘Mommy, what? Are you okay?’ But, it was a sense of relief,” Jerrica told Lex 18.
The heart transplant surgery lasted 14 hours. Malia is now recovering and is expected to leave the ICU in a few days. She will soon move to a Ronald McDonald House before returning home, with regular doctor visits scheduled to monitor her recovery.
Family support has been key during the long hospital stay. Jerrica praised her twin sister, Jameshia, who drove to Cincinnati whenever needed, providing comfort and practical help. Their close bond helped the family navigate the emotional challenges of Malia’s treatment.
Looking ahead, Malia will visit her doctors three times a week and hopes to return to school next fall. Her mother says the transplant gives her daughter “a second chance at life” and the opportunity to enjoy her childhood fully.
Source: BlackNews.com
