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Participant Profiles

Holly Campbell and the Scadlocks
Horsehead, NY

Two Families, One Heart -- Donor Family and Recipient to Finally Meet at U.S. Transplant Games

In May of 2007, Holly and Andy Campbell of Horsehead, NY were thrilled at the birth of their second child, Jake. At 10 weeks old, he was placed in a bassinet for a nap and twenty minutes later, he became unresponsive. While the Campbells waited for an ambulance to arrive, they administered CPR, hoping to save their child's life. At the hospital, his heartbeat was restored but he remained brain dead. "We were the ones to ask about organ and tissue donation," says Holly.

"There was no way to make sense of what happened but there was a way to allow something positive to come of the whole experience. If another family could experience the joy of knowing their baby was going to survive, that would ease the loss in our lives," continues Holly.

Soon afterwards, they learned that Jake's heart had gone to a little boy in Iowa who was just two weeks old. Over the ensuing months, the Campbells' curiosity prompted them to do a basic internet search where they stumbled upon a news article about a baby boy in Iowa who received a heart during the time of Jake's donation. Soon they uncovered a blog about the infant's progress. They felt certain that this child, Beckham Scadlock, was Jake's recipient and quietly observed him from afar, finding the family's posting about Beckham growing and thriving a great gift. Although they considered writing to the Scadlocks, they were thrilled when the family eventually wrote to them and had the connection confirmed. When the Campbells wrote back, they told them about reading their blog, and soon were corresponding regularly, hearing news about Jake, mourning and celebrating anniversaries.

Beckham Scadlock was born with a heart murmur and was listed almost immediately for a heart transplant. The Scadlocks knew that their baby was very ill and that his time was limited unless a new heart could be found in time. Although the thought of another family losing a child was terrible, they prayed that if this were to happen, the family would find the courage and grace to donate the child's organs. Ten days after being listed, Beckham received a new heart.

Over the months that followed, Kim Scadlock wrote and rewrote a letter to the family whose heart Beckham now carried inside him and finally after a year, she found the right words and sent it. When they wrote back, the Scadlocks were surprised to learn that the family already knew who they were, having found their blog six months earlier. Soon they began e-mailing, sharing news on Facebook, text messaging and finally chatting on the phone.

Although it has been two years since they connected, they still haven't had a chance to meet in person - until now. Both families will be attending the 2010 National Kidney Foundation U.S. Transplant Games July 27 through August 1 in Madison, Wisconsin. Particpants at the Transplant Games, which are the largest gathering of transplant athletes, donors, and families, will number 7,000. There Beckham will join hundreds of other children and adults who have received lifesaving transplants and compete for medals in track and field competitions. The highlight of the event for both families will be meeting in person, for the very first time. "I recently got to speak with Kim on the phone, and she had Beckham say hello to both Andy and me," says Holly. "It was one of the most moving experiences of my life, getting to hear the voice of the little boy who carries our son's heart. I cannot wait to give him a hug and feel that heart beating and get to tell him, in person, just how much we all have fallen in love with him."

"Aside from meeting the Scadlocks, though" continues Holly. "We are really looking forward to meeting other donor family members and the athletes. There is nothing more comforting than seeing what an amazing change can occur for those who have received an organ or tissue transplant."