WASHINGTON — Back in June of 2024, we told you about a brave little boy named Jack who was in the fight of his life.
One side of his heart was too big, and at just 4 months old, Jack Lally was placed on the heart transplant list at Children’s National Hospital in Washington D.C. More than six months later, we just learned that Jack got his new heart last week!
Jack’s family shared these photos with WUSA9. The Lally family says he’s doing well and he’s recovering. The family anticipates another month or two at children’s hospital as he works to heal. It will take him time to get used to his new heart.
Cydney O’Rear is among the nurses who have been caring for Jack since the beginning. WUSA9 spoke with her back in June.
“Jack is an incredible baby," O'Rear said. "He’s resilient, he’s brave and he’s strong."
Pediatric heart transplants can be difficult because there are so many factors that go into making sure they are successful.
“It’s hard with children, because when you have any kind of organ transplant you have to be the same blood type, you have to have matching antibodies, so all of your bloodwork needs to match but with children you also have to worry about size,” O’Rear said of the search for a new heart.
Jack’s mother, Rachel, remained focused on the positive as he waited patiently for a new heart.
“There really is a lot of good, in people, and in life,” Rachel Lally said. “And we’re holding out to be able to show Jack all of that good.”
The family has invited WUSA9 along for the day baby Jack is able to finally leave the hospital, and we’ll be sure to follow the story and bring you updates.
