While in college, Jennifer Sutton realized she was struggling with moderate exercise. Soon, the 22-year-old was diagnosed with restrictive cardiomyopathy — a rare condition where the heart’s chambers stiffen over time — and would need a heart transplant to survive. Her health continued to deteriorate, but in 2007 a donor match was found. After the transplant, Sutton gave permission to the Royal College of Surgeons to display the heart she had from birth, hoping to raise awareness about heart conditions and organ donation. When seeing the heart for the first time, Sutton said it was like her friend, who had kept her alive for 22 years. Now 38 and still in good health, Sutton recently reunited with her doctor, Dr. Stephen Large, and the two visited her heart again. “It’s been 16 fantastic years and I wouldn’t have had any of them without my donor,” said Sutton. She went on to say that she is busy, active, and keeping her heart as healthy as possible. The heart is currently on display at the Hunterian Museum in London.
