Marion Bennett

Marion Bennett

Transplant Type: Heart

UPDATE!!! Marion received her heart transplant on May 10, 2018! The surgery performed by Dr Ahmet Kilic, took only 2 hrs as she had no previous surgeries. This made access to the original heart much easier since there was no scar tissue to get through. At 4-5 weeks post, Marion experienced a rapid heart rate that reached 190 bom. Now if the defibrillator hadn't been removed during transplant, the rate would be been regulated immediately. When she reached JHH, she was taken back for a cardioversion which shocks the heart back to a  normal rhythm. A week later, she went in for an ablation. Dr. Barth was able to locate the area and a blade, preventing more arrhythmias from happening. Now at 7 weeks post, she is feeling more like her normal self! She has energy again, and is ready to begin cardiac rehab and drive again! Her husband Ray has been extremely supportive. He was in the hospital every day, and took care of everything ensuring that Marion came home to a prepared home. There is no way to thank him enough for not just saving Marion`s life 2 yrs ago,  but taking such great care of her when her illness really worsened.  

Marion was born with Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA)  which was corrected congenitally.  At 18, she was told to live a normal life,which she did until the age of 22 when she was hospitalized for heart failure.  While being treated for CHF, Marion suffered a stroke. At this time, she was rushed to John's Hopkins and recovered well. 

The Congestive Heart Failure was controlled for 15 years, but on July 31, 2016, she went into Cardiac Arrest in her home. Marion's husband Ray, a Law Enforcement Officer performed CPR for 7 minutes until medics arrived. During a one week stay at John's Hopkins, an ICD was implanted to assist if another attack happened. The defibrillator fired on April 8, 2017, due to V-tach. Due to the shock, and an already weakened state, Marion's heart is functioning at 10-15%.

A heart transplant can cost nearly $1 million! This doesn't even cover the aftercare costs. Even with health insurance, there are expected to be significant costs. Post care and medications are very expensive and must be taken for the duration of Marion's life.

Even with all that is happening, Marion and Ray are trying to live as normally as possible. Due to failing health, she had to step down from a job that she had so much passion for. Marion plans to go back after recovering from her transplant.

Marion has a wonderful team behind her as she and her family go through this journey.  

You can help by making a tax-deductible donation to NFT in honor of Marion. If you'd prefer to send your gift by mail, please send it to the NFT Maryland Transplant Fund, 3249 W. Sarazens Circle, Suite 100, Memphis, TN 38125. Please be sure to write "in honor of Marion Bennett” on the memo line.

Thank you for your generosity!

Patient Health Institute: Johns Hopkins