Sarah was born with double outlet right ventricle (DORV), a rare congenital heart defect in which the pulmonary artery and the aorta both connect to the right ventricle. It’s a serious condition that often requires treatment only months after birth. For Sarah, it wasn’t until the age of 2, when she was adopted from China by Angie and Jerry Guy, that she could begin her treatment at Atrium Health Levine Children’s. In June of 2012, Sarah had her cardiac catheterization and open-heart surgery, followed by a second surgery the next year.

In the years after surgery, Sarah remained a happy and active kid, and especially enjoyed gymnastics and going to school. On the inside, however, her heart was quietly slowing down. During a routine follow-up visit in July of 2020, Sarah’s doctors noted new concerns which led to a third open-heart surgery to insert a pacemaker and defi­brillator. It was clear that a heart transplant would be necessary to save Sarah’s life, and like many families, the Guys were prepared to wait weeks or even months to fi­nd a heart. But, thankfully for Sarah, she waited only 16 days and received her new heart on February 12, 2021.

Today, Sarah is back to doing cartwheels and handstands around the house. You would never guess she was born with a heart defect – or that she had a heart transplant a year ago. Her courage, strength, and positive attitude are just a few of the reasons she has been selected as our 2022 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champion for Levine Children’s Hospital.