Pierce, who is an avid sports fan and athlete, has come a long way since receiving a heart transplant eight years ago.
Kara Blalock, Pierce’s mother, said her son became ill at about 2½ months old, when a virus attacked his heart.
“He went into congestive heart failure at about 3 months; at about 5 months, he suffered from dehydration, and then had a stroke and lost his left side,” she said. “When he was 15 months old, he had a heart transplant.”
Blalock said Pierce, who regained the use of his left side, has been fortunate with how the transplant has gone.
“He takes five medications daily, and he’ll probably take them for the rest of his life,” Blalock said. “You just never know when an organ is going to reject.”
Pierce — who has a twin sister, Morgan, and a 12-year-old brother, Max — plays basketball and soccer, runs track, and is looking forward to a summer of swimming, tennis and golf.
At the Dragons game, Pierce and Max went on a behind-the-scenes tour and got to go into the dugout.
“My favorite part was when I was in the dugout and I was getting autographs from the whole team,” Pierce said. “And when I got to meet Ken Griffey Sr.”
Eric Deutsch, executive vice president for the Dragons, said Pierce did a great job on the mound.
“Just to hear his story and then to see him out there enthusiastic and celebrating life is amazing,” Deutsch said. “On the mound he was beaming from ear to ear, throwing a strike to our catcher.”
Cathi Arends, director of community relations for Life Connection of Ohio, said Pierce is the first from their organization to throw a pitch for the Dragons.
“Pierce is a beautiful 9-year-old who is healthy, loves sports, loves to draw. And he wouldn’t be here today if he hadn’t received a heart transplant,” she said.
According to Life Connection, there are more than 107,000 people on the National Transplant Waiting List, including more than 3,100 Ohioans.
One donor can save as many as eight lives and enhance the lives of up to 50 people.
Blalock said she hasn’t been able to get in touch with the family whose organ donation saved her son, but knows of another boy — Pierce’s “donor brother” — who also received an organ from that family.
“It is not an experience I wish on anyone, but regardless, the situation still happens,” Blalock said. “Please have a conversation with your families; you just never know when you, your children or your future grandchildren may need an organ.”
For more information about organ and tissue donation, contact Life Connection of Ohio at (937) 223-8223. To register as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.DonateLifeOhio.org.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7325 or jikelley@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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