💖 Our First Recipient: Meet Jen

The first recipient of the Schmidt Healing Hearts Foundation is a special one.

It's incredibly rewarding to pause and reflect on why we began this journey — and for us, that reason is Jen.

Her story is one of courage, perseverance, and strength. We couldn’t be more honored to support her on this path, and we are endlessly proud to walk beside her.

A Journey of Grit and Grace

From a very young age, Jen has battled Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. At just 8 years old, a rare, aggressive bacterium took hold of her lungs, causing her to miss school and fall behind as she fought to survive.

Her family made the brave decision to move from California to Colorado in search of better treatment options. A few medical trials showed promise, and Jen was able to start 5th grade. But by the beginning of 6th grade, her lung function again began to plummet.

At just 12 years old, Jen was listed for her first double-lung transplant — and within a few months, she received the gift of new lungs in Philadelphia. Despite missing most of middle school, Jen started high school in Pennsylvania and embraced life with her new lungs. But the years that followed weren’t easy.

She courageously faced:

• PTLD (Post-Transplant Lymphatic Disease)

• PRES (Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome), a neurological condition caused by immunosuppressive therapy

• Transplant-induced diabetes

• And required a stent in her pulmonary artery

In 2020, her body began to reject the transplanted lungs, resulting in chronic lung allograft dysfunction — a form of progressive lung failure. She was just 19 when she learned she would need a second double-lung transplant.

From 2020 onward, Jen endured four years of isolation at home — during a global pandemic — while being on oxygen 24/7. By 2024, her condition had worsened, requiring her to be hospitalized and placed on high-flow oxygen for nearly eight consecutive months.

Then, a miracle happened.

Thanks to the selfless act of a fallen FBI agent whose family chose to donate their organs, Jen received her second life-saving transplant.

From Survivor to Advocate

Now, in recovery, Jen is using her voice to give back. She has turned to social media as a platform for organ donation advocacy, sharing her journey with honesty, hope, and heart.

She’s built a growing and supportive community on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, where she shares her real experiences as a Cystic Fibrosis warrior, transplant recipient, and advocate for those with complex medical conditions.

Jen's mission is powerful:To make sure that others like her feel seen, supported, and empowered.

Why This Matters

Jen is the reason we do what we do. She is our "why."Her story reminds us that behind every diagnosis is a human being — someone fighting for their life, their future, and their voice. We’re honored to be part of Jen’s journey and to support her in every way we can.

Thank you, Jen, for your bravery, your advocacy, and sharing your story.

🔗 Want to help someone like Jen? [Donate Today]