MUSC Children's Hospital

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Patient Stories

www.heathertrewfoundation.org Heather Trew

Before she was born, Heather Trew was already “the apple of her Father’s eye” and the most “exciting gift” her Mother could be given. Heather arrived healthy, strong and beautiful, all 8lbs, 10 oz. She proved in the first year, that she would have enough energy and spirit to power a ship. She walked at 7 months and was running and dancing before her first birthday. Heather enjoyed entertaining friends, family and strangers alike and exhib-ited a strong desire to do everything possible for herself.

At age seven, Heather took a bite of a hamburger at a church picnic, and her beautiful healthy body became infected with e-coli. She became ill on a Friday night, entered a hospital on Saturday and by Monday morning she was found to be in renal failure. Her parents were advised that she would need to be transferred to MUSC Children’s Hospital for surgery and dialysis in order to save her life.

Heather fought vigorously for her life for 40 days. Her organs began to shut down one by one, but she was a fighter. Heather refused to give up, and she made an inspiring recovery.

Heather’s body had become damaged from the bacterial infection and treatments, and each day was a struggle. When she was twelve, she received the gift of life from a loving aunt who gave Heather her kidney. This generous act of love gave Heather seven more years to live her life and, in turn, change the lives of many forever. Because of the complexity of her body’s response, she spent much of her time with her doctors and the staff at MUSC. Even though she “drove them crazy” with her spirit, she loved and depended on them for her quality of life. They lovingly embraced her while working hard to manage her medical needs. It was a match made in heaven.

In the spring of 2007, Heather returned home for a lovely time of reunion with her family. Just days after her visit she was stricken with what turned out to be hemorrhagic pancreatitis. A few days later on May 8th, that strong and hopeful spirit found release from it’s weakened body.

Heather was an inspiration to everyone around her. No one who had been touched by her caring spirit, her zest for life, her contagious laughter and her beauty would have suspected the depth of her suffering. Rather than allowing her circumstances to defy her, Heather embraced them. She left a lasting impact on all those who were blessed enough to have known her, and she continues to touch lives from heaven.

During Heather’s life, she made her plans very well known to her family and others. She wanted to work to further organ donation in order to extend the lives of others as it had her own. Her parents, Judy and Dwight, have found many evidences of her plans to help others. Heather’s family always said of her, “she was born to engage others”. Their mission is to continue her work as they honor her life, her memory and her desire to “engage others” who face challenging and discouraging illnesses.

The Guardian Angel bracelet is the first of the projects that the Trew family has done in Heather’s mem-ory. Heather loved the clear crystals she employed in her jewelry, because the prisms make rainbows and she always felt she had guardian angels around her, helping her through the scarier moments in life. She would be so pleased to share her design with the world in hopes that it’s rainbow of colors will remind it’s recipients of the power of hope, faith and love.

To purchase a Guardian Angel Bracelet, contact Judy Trew at 843-422-5570. The cost of the bracelet is a $60.00 donation. All proceeds will go to The Heather Trew Foundation for Organ Awareness and Research.

Give the gift of life to others by becoming an organ donor. Live your life with a strong conviction that will change the lives of others. Heather sure did!