Mio’s family gave the hospital this doll as a sign of their gratitude
“I am indebted to the person who gave such a generous gift. They saved my life.”
It’s been 23 years since Mio Kobayashi became Primary Children’s first heart transplant recipient, but for her family is seems like just yesterday. Doctors in Japan diagnosed 7-year-old Mio with a life-threatening heart disease – one that her older brother passed away from at a young age.
“Of course being a mother, all I wanted was for my daughter to be alive,” Michiko Kobayashi, Mio’s mother, said through tears. “I wanted to do whatever it took to keep my daughter. I pleaded with the doctors, ‘please help.‘”
The only treatment for this disease was a heart transplant, but in 1991, a law in Japan prevented doctors from preforming such a procedure. Mio’s doctor connected the family with the Cardiology team at Primary Children’s. Her parents didn’t know much about the United State, didn’t speak English, and had never heard of the hospital, but they knew this was the only option to save their daughter.
Three days after arriving at Primary Children’s, on July 25, 1991, the family learned doctors had a donor match for Mio. “In Japan when something is considered unbelievable, a proverb says you’re supposed to pinch yourself. If it hurts, it’s real; otherwise not. It was real and it was an amazing experience,” recalls Michiko.
Mio in traditional Japanese clothing for her 7th birthday celebration
Mio spent seven months at the hospital, and became homesick for Japan. “I still vividly remember during my last biopsy, the doctors said if it goes well I could go home. During the test a special message of love popped up on the screen saying congratulations! I knew it meant I was able to go home.”
23 Years Later
Mio with her parents - Michiko & Tsutomu
Mio and her parents visited Primary Children’s last week to tour the hospital, and see some of the doctors and nurses who cared for her 23 years ago. The family says even though the building’s appearance has changed, it still has a familiar peaceful feeling.
Mio is now a healthy and happy young woman. She graduated from college with a degree in psychology. She’s an advocate for organ donation, and has had the opportunity to help numerous people who struggle with heart problems.
“I was afforded this precious gift of life because of someone’s choice to become an organ donor,” says Mio. “I can’t possibly express my gratitude for that person, as well as the staff at the hospital. You took a foreigner in and saved my life.”
