11-month-old returns home after groundbreaking heart transplant
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — After spending more than 300 days in the hospital, 11-month-old Parker Helmerich is finally going home.
"It's just such a blessing and we couldn't be happier to finally get home and especially during the holiday season, it'll make it lot more special," said David Helmerich, Parker's father.
Parker was born on December 11, 2023, and at first everything seemed normal and he looked healthy.
"30 minutes after birth, we noticed he seemed to be struggling with his breathing and did a few more tests and he had critical pulmonary stenosis," said Faith Helmerich, Parker's mother.
Just days after his birth, he was airlifted to Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health Heart Center and that's where his long journey began.
By March, doctors determined Parker needed a heart transplant to survive and was put on the waiting list.
"It's a long waiting period, you got to do everything you can to keep these children alive so that they do get to the point of getting the heart," said Dr. Harold Burkhart, chief of cardiac division.
The Helmerichs received the life-changing call in October.
"We are extremely grateful for the generous gift that they gave us and organ donation is something that I hope everyone considers. It is extremely important and can really help save lives," said Faith.
Parker returning home with a new heart isn't just a big day for the family, but also for the state of Oklahoma.
His transplant marks a groundbreaking milestone as its the first pediatric heart transplant in decades at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health Heart Center.
It's also the only pediatric heart transplant program in the state.
The achievement means Oklahoma children and their families no longer need to leave the state for this life-saving care.
"Families pulled apart, as well as the risk that's involved in just moving patients like that," said Dr. Erik Edens, physician.
OU Health says an estimated five children a year in Oklahoma have had to leave the state for transplants over the past decade.
Doctors say there are many more children like Parker, waiting for their perfect match and now they'll be able to do so without leaving the state.
Dr. Burkhart says there's more kids that need hearts than donors and that the waitlist is typically six months to a year.