Heart Transplant Recipient Helping Beverly Family Who Lost Their Son

BOSTON (CBS) – In April 2018, a Beverly couple tragically lost their son. As Jonathan Ersing’s parents grieve, they have found a unique way to remain close to him. “He was just one of those people who just lit up a room,” his mother, Joanne, remembers. Jonathan had severe autism and in April, he accidentally choked on his food and went into cardiac arrest. After multiple attempts to resuscitate him, Jonathan was pronounced brain dead. He was 25 years old. Jonathan Ersing (Courtesy Photo) While Jonathan was losing his life, Sabrina Dahoda of upstate New York was on the brink of losing hers. The 31-year old had been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and her heart was failing, fast. “One of the doctors had come in,” Sabrina recounted, “and he said, ‘We have a heart for you.’” It was Jonathan’s heart. “Our happiness right there was also somebody else’s grief,” Sabrina said. “Somebody just lost their child.” Sabrina underwent surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, but just two months later received something unexpected – a letter from Jonathan’s mom. “I read it with my family and I could barely get it out,” remembered Sabrina. “I was crying. It was a very great moment.” Joanne and her husband, Curtis, said they would like to meet the woman who received their son’s heart. So in July, when Sabrina came up from New York for a check-up, the Ersings invited Sabrina and her family to stay with them in Beverly. Sabrina was sur...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Boston News Health Seen On WBZ-TV Syndicated Local Brigham And Woman's Hospital Dr. Mallika Marshall Heart Transplant Organ Donation Source Type: news