Heart transplant grows unexpected friendship

Heart transplant grows unexpected friendship

Credit: OHSU/ Tyler Tjomsland

Duane Richards, 55, left, of Corbett, Oregon, an Oregon Health & Science University heart transplant patient, helps Shelby Aguirre, right, the sister of his heart donor, Jacob Ash, listen to the heart her brother donated for the first time on June 26, 2021, at Ash's former home in Spokane, Washington. Ash died after choking on a piece of hard candy on Sept. 29, 2020. His heart, liver and tissue, as well as both of his cornea and kidneys, were donated to people needing organ transplants. Ash would have turned 32 on June 27, 2021. (OHSU/ Tyler Tjomsland)

Download Photo (15.7 MB)