Kendra

Kendra’s Story

Bio by Kendra DuBios

My name is Kendra Lynne DuBois, born in Colorado Springs. I was the 12th baby to ever receive a heart transplant in Colorado.  I was born February 1st 1992, it took a while for me to come out into this beautiful world because of an umbilical cord being wrapped around my neck during birth.  Along with that unfortunate event, my parents were told I had hypoplastic left heart syndrome which led to needing to be put on the list for a heart transplant. I did not have much of a childhood because of the long periods of time staying at Children’s Hospital, but when I finally got to live a life of gratefulness because of this first heart, this life I led wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t the best either. Growing up, no one understood me, being a young six and a half year old, trying to explain my transplant, it was not easy, other children were unkind. Eleven years had gone by, I was doing so well, then at age eleven, my heart rejected the body and once again, here I was, waiting for heart transplant number two. Being old enough to understand what was happening this time, I did fear for my life. I missed part of sixth grade but then returned just in time for Halloween! As life has gone on,I still have heart number two and am so very thankful to still be here now.

– Story by Kendra