Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/425267
8 centralight winter'14 Born with just half of her heart working as it should, 1-year-old Maggie McLaren was admitted to the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor three years ago to do one of two things: Receive a new heart from a generous little donor or die there waiting. Maggie McLaren She turned 4 this year. "When we found out Maggie would need a new heart, we were grateful we still had options but were overwhelmed by the gravity of our situation," Kelly McLaren, '98, wrote in the months after her daughter's life was saved. "I couldn't even begin to imagine a life without our baby girl." Maggie had tubes and monitoring equipment connected to her chest, sides, even her toes. "For fi ve months, holding our daughter was like untangling Christmas lights," says McLaren, who lives in Lansing with her husband, Nick, and their daughter. "Not knowing what the next day would bring was the worst." Mott had become their second home, and the baby was running out of time. "She was full of smiles and love and strength, but she was swollen and blue, not able to walk or even crawl. I just wanted my little girl to be able to run and play and enjoy her childhood." Mott had become their second home, and the baby was Mott had become their second home, and the baby was running out of time. Mott had become their second home, and the baby was Mott had become their second home, and the baby was running out of time. Mott had become their second home, and the baby was Mott had become their second home, and the baby was Mott had become their second home, and the baby was running out of time. Mott had become their second home, and the baby was Mott had become their second home, and the baby was running out of time. running out of time. running out of time. running out of time. running out of time. running out of time. 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The McLarens clung to hope as their little one got weaker. Then, when things were very bleak, the news came: There was a new heart for Maggie. "I was elated and relieved that my daughter wasn't going to die, but we still had to get through the surgery. And we knew someone else's child had to die for Maggie to live." Their little one was about to receive the most treasured gift anyone could possibly receive: Life. When the six-hour surgery was over, the McLarens could see Maggie's new heart beating in her chest. "To this day, I am fl oored that it wasn't always hers," says Kelly, who earned her degree in art. Today, Maggie's life is so very normal. She sings her banana song every time she gobbles one down; she loves to eat hot dog buns and "ogurt" (yogurt) and belly laugh when something's funny. This year, on the anniversary of her March 12 transplant – just like the two before that – she drew a picture for her donor, and her mom tucked it away in a box. "We do it so we can look back in remembrance on her sweet angel. Later, we will use the pictures as a teaching tool for her. She had a sick heart, and she had to get a healthy one." The McLarens – who have not yet met the family of Maggie's donor – are determined to teach their daughter to be grateful for her gift and for the child who gave it to her. "That's the only reason she's here." > 8 centralight winter'14