As a newborn, Kameryn Rasberry was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. At only 10 weeks old, that diagnosis began a series of hospitalizations and surgeries. When she was 12, Kameryn suffered heart failure. Doctors told Kameryn and her parents a heart transplant was the only solution to her living a healthy life.
Kameryn’s parents were in complete shock accepting this news. Never in her years of being treated for her heart condition did the thought of a heart transplant ever enter their minds. Even though Kameryn recalls when her uncle received a heart transplant. “I was a young kid and remember the joy when he received the call that a heart was available and his journey afterward,” said Kameryn.
While on the transplant waiting list, Kameryn remained in the hospital. Her parents continued to pray and spend time in the hospital chapel. She completed 6th grade as an inpatient at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago where she stayed for 73 days waiting for her life-saving heart. She remembers the loneliness as her friends were too young to visit her.
Her faith in God, her family and her desire to live a full life kept Kameryn hopeful until she received the news of a donor heart becoming available. On April 5, 2018, Kameryn was gifted with a heart transplant.
Receiving her new heart, Kameryn embraced life anew, rediscovering the joys of childhood activities. In 2024, Kameryn was honored with the Girl Scout’s Gold Award – the organization’s highest honor – for creating a mental health website for teens. Her firsthand experience with trauma, anxiety and depression inspired her to help others. The website offers articles, videos and tips on coping, exercise, healthy eating, affirmations and more.
Yet, Kameryn’s health challenges continued post-transplant, marked by battles with post-transplant lymphoma proliferative disorder, enduring cancer and chemotherapy three times and becoming diabetic due to medication side effects. All conditions she’s learned to accept and live through.
As of 2025, Kameryn is a college student studying public health. “I am enjoying life to the fullest,” she said. “I’m physically active and in good health.”
Kameryn continuously advocates for organ and tissue donation by sharing her story with others and emphasizing the importance of donor registration. She especially advocates for organ donation among the African American community where donor registrations are typically lower. She knows that her story gives others hope and when they see her thriving, she hopes others are inspired to register their decision to donate.
Kameryn says being an organ donor is the most selfless gift one can leave behind. “Being an organ donor is an opportunity to give a final gift to someone – an opportunity for a child to survive, an opportunity for a family to have their loved one live a beautiful life because of their selfless legacy”
“I am thankful to God for allowing me to live and I am thankful to my donor and their family,” said Kameryn.
