It was slightly more than a year ago when, Lauren Mahoney received a second chance at life.

She was diagnosed in 1999 with heart disease: a cardiomyopathy, heart muscle disease in layman s terms and is the deterioration of the function of the myocardium (i.e., the actual heart muscle), bringing about dangerous arrhythmias.

When this happens, the heart beat may be too fast or too slow and it may be regular or irregular.

For ten years she lived with a deteriorating heart struggling with sleeping, walking and even eating.

In May of 2008, Lauren was referred to the Massachusetts Brigham and Women s Hospital where her condition was evaluated and they advised her that she qualified to join the heart transplant list. However, she wasn t immediately ready to add her name to that list.

She spent the summer trying to live a normal life, but found every day was a struggle. Eventually in her own time, she came to the conclusion that this was no way to live her life and she put her name down on the transplant list.

In February 2009, she wasn t feeling at all well and went back to the hospital and so began a stay of 3 months in hospital, waiting for a new heart. May 21, her cardiologist walked into her room and said: How about a new heart? Apparently with no drama; he said just that!. Well, Lauren knew this was it, and by then, was so ready for it.

She received her new heart at 2 a.m. on May 22, 2009.

The operation was a success. Recovering was tough at first, but as each day passed life became easier thanks to the great support she received from all those around her. Two weeks later, Lauren was discharged and able to return home somewhat worried at going back into the outside world saying goodbye to the continual hospital monitoring and constant care.

Now, Lauren is living healthy life of a 27-year-old, walking three miles a day, bike riding, going out with friends; simply living in a way that she previously could only dream about. She had forgotten what it was like to feel healthy and now she has the chance to do so again.

Through the AHA, Lauren participates fund raising in honor of her donor. Whoever the person is, he or she will always be a part of her. Lauren has also been walking to raise money for Brigham and Women s Hospital to thank them for the support that they gave her. The Shapiro Center does wonderful work and it is Lauren s desire to help other people finding themselves in the position of having heart disease.

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