“We have always prayed for our donor family before we even knew who it was,” said Monique Jones. “Because they’re gonna lose their loved one for me to continue to live.”
For years, Monique lived with a critical heart condition. An artery supplying her heart was 99 percent blocked. She had a heart attack in 2016 that left her in a coma for seven days. For several years, she endured frequent hospital visits and treatments as doctors worked to restore her health and quality of life.
With continued care from her medical team at Advocate Christ Medical Center and the support of her husband and family, Monique’s health improved. Eventually, she reached a pivotal milestone: she became eligible to be placed on the organ transplant waiting list.
In early 2025, five years after a successful heart transplant, Monique prepared to mark her transplant anniversary with a praise party. With the assistance of Gift of Hope’s aftercare team, the occasion became even more meaningful when Monique was able to meet her donor’s family for the first time.
The meeting and Monique’s story offer a powerful reminder of the profound connection between donor families and recipients.
Watch Monique’s full story above.
