A Delaware man is just two weeks away from finally being able to resume a normal life. Eric Bennett of Milford, Delaware, has been awaiting heart and kidney transplants for five months at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. On Christmas Eve, he received the long-awaited call and was informed that the perfect heart and kidney had become available for him. Bennett, a former high school star athlete, initially experienced symptoms akin to a respiratory illness. However, he soon discovered that his kidneys had completely stopped functioning. Despite being on dialysis for years, his health deteriorated further in August, leading to heart failure and the need for a life-sustaining device.
Dr. Michael Acker, Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery at HUP, described Bennett’s condition as severe, as he had spent four months connected to the support device. Alongside Dr. Ronald Parsons, the director of kidney and pancreatic transplantation, both doctors played instrumental roles in performing the Christmas miracle for Bennett and his family of four. The kidney transplant has been successful, and a team of dedicated nurses and doctors are now focused on ensuring Bennett’s overall health so that he can finally be discharged.
Bennett’s story has inspired him to pursue a new career path. He aspires to become a nurse and intends to return to school. Connie Romano, an acute care nurse practitioner on the heart transplant team, expressed how the entire experience has given Bennett newfound focus and determination. Bennett himself is eagerly looking forward to resuming a normal life and spending quality time with his family, including teaching his children how to play baseball and going on vacations.
Once Bennett clears another biopsy next week, he should be given the green light to return home. To help with the costs associated with the transplants, his family has set up a GoFundMe page. This will hopefully alleviate some of the financial burden they have faced throughout this difficult journey.
For Bennett, this Christmas miracle has given him a second chance at life—one that he intends to make the most of. With the transplants behind him, he looks forward to embracing experiences that were once impossible. As the countdown continues for Bennett’s return home, the wider community celebrates this heartwarming story and the hope it brings during the holiday season.
