Current Date: 07 May, 2026
{{entry.title}}

Mom hears son's heartbeat 3 years after his death when she meets organ recipient

She agreed to donate her son's organs after his sudden death in June 2013 at the age of 7 months. The grieving mother was able to listen to her late son’s heart beating inside the little girl who received the organ after his death.

When Lukas Clark was brutally mistreated by a babysitter, he was only 7 months old. After spending days lying in the hospital, his mother, Heather Clark, was informed that her son had a very small chance of surviving.

The Rancho Cucamonga, California, mother, 25, had been questioned numerous times about organ donation, but she had delayed responding until she had had time to consider the situation in its entirety.

Mom hears sons heartbeat 3 years after his death when she meets organ recipient 1
Heather Clark plays with her only son, Lukas. Photo Credit: Donor Network of America

Lukas’s mother bravely decided to give her son’s organs in the midst of her anguish. She finally had the chance to hear his heartbeat three years later, this time via the chest of a grateful little 4-year-old.

I didn’t want another mother or family to experience what I was about to — or feel what I was about to feel.

Up until now, three different people have been rescued by Lukas’ organs.

Mom hears sons heartbeat 3 years after his death when she meets organ recipient 2
Heather Clark hears her son’s heartbeat for the first time in three years. Photo Credit: Donor Network of America

In 2013, Clark wrote a letter that was meant to be read by the person who would be receiving his organs. She collaborated with One Legacy in the hopes of establishing a relationship with the recipient of Lukas’ heart.

Jordan Drake was that patient. Jordan and her mother Esther Gonzalez, 34, who reside in Chandler, Arizona, contacted Clark over Facebook in 2013 after learning she had been attempting to get in touch with them. However, the mail was automatically swept into another folder and ignored for two years.

Jordan was identified as having the congenital cardiac disease as a baby. Gonzalez was informed by doctors at Phoenix Children’s Hospital that her daughter, who was only three months old at the time, would require surgery to replace defective valves in a few years.

Mom hears sons heartbeat 3 years after his death when she meets organ recipient 3
Jordan Drake had her first surgery in July 2012. Photo Credit: Donor Network of America

However, soon after, when Jordan was 4 1/2 months old, medical professionals decided that her condition was severe and they would no longer be able to postpone the surgery.

Jordan underwent surgery at the five-month milestone. Doctors decided to introduce a mechanical valve as opposed to fixing damaged ones.

Jordan was put on blood thinners, which proved to be difficult given the normal weight changes and food requirements that a toddler undergoes. With that came a lot of upkeep and instability.

The first 15 months of Jordan’s life were spent in this manner. At that moment, they came to the conclusion that her only chance of surviving was a heart transplant.

Mom hears sons heartbeat 3 years after his death when she meets organ recipient 4
Jordan Drake suffered a stroke in 2012. Photo Credit: Donor Network of America

“Blood thinners ended up being more of a harm than help,” Gonzalez told TODAY. “She suffered stomach bleeds, brain bleeds, seizures, and a stroke. She had to have brain surgery — doctors opened up her head to release the pressure of the blood.”

Jordan’s family was informed by phone on June 22, 2013, that medical professionals could have located a heart that would work as a match for her transplant. The 18-month-old was having surgery the next day.

“When they said the heart was good, my instant reaction was that my daughter would get a second chance at life,” Gonzalez said. “But then on the flip side, it took me about a second to realize that through our joy, another mother was grieving.”

Jordan is now healthy as a result of the successful surgery, although she will need to take transplant medication for the rest of her life.

Mom hears sons heartbeat 3 years after his death when she meets organ recipient 5
Jordan Drake in her bee costume for Halloween 2014. Photo Credit: Donor Network of America

The message Jordan and her mother sent back in 2013 was unexpectedly discovered by Clark when she was looking through Facebook notifications this past Thanksgiving.

On December 23, 2015, Clark experienced the “biggest holiday miracle” when Jordan and her mother promptly responded, starting this correspondence.

Clark told TODAY, “I just looked at her and I knew.” It helped me get through the holidays. It was insane to be able to text them and ask them to wish Jordan a Merry Christmas.

Mom hears sons heartbeat 3 years after his death when she meets organ recipient 6
Jordan Drake, alive and healthy in 2013. Photo Credit: Donor Network of America

Following that, the families began corresponding more frequently and planning the day when they would eventually be able to meet.

Soon enough the big day, January 29, 2016, came around. I believe I was more anxious than nervous on the big day, said Clark, who drove 5 1/2 hours from California to Arizona. I was anxious when I first got out of my car and walked up since Jordan is just great.

She was worried, though, for no reason. Jordan and Clark rushed toward one another and gave each other a bear hug as soon as they locked eyes.

Hearing her son’s heartbeat once more was the event that truly altered Heather’s life. She was rendered speechless by the intensity of it all.

Mom hears sons heartbeat 3 years after his death when she meets organ recipient 7
Jordan Drake meets Heather Clark for the first time at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Photo Credit: Donor Network of America
Similar Stories
Mystery of 300-year-old mummified mermaid is being probed

Mystery of 300-year-old mummified mermaid is being probed

There is a 300-year-old mummified mermaid with 30 centimetres tall and features a human-like head, two hands with what appear to be fingernails, and its lower body that look like a fish tail. The “mermaid mummy” is being probed by Japanese scientists in an attempt to unravel the mystery of its existence.

How Being Bugs Bunny Helped This Voice Actor Out of Coma

How Being Bugs Bunny Helped This Voice Actor Out of Coma

Mel Blanc; the voice of Bugs Bunny, had been in a serious car accident that put him in a coma. After many unsuccessful attempts to get him to talk, a doctor asked “Bugs, can you hear me” Mel responded in the voice of bugs bunny, “Whats up, Doc? The doctors used this to lead him out of his coma.

Billy Ray Harris: A Story of Kindness and Honesty

Billy Ray Harris: A Story of Kindness and Honesty

In 2013, a homeless man named Billy Ray Harris discovered a $4,000 engagement ring in this cup. A woman had dropped while giving him some change. He returned the ring to her two days later. To thank him for his honesty, she set up a fund with the goal of raising $4,000 for him. It earned more than $185,000.

The world’s longest flight spent more than two months in the air

The world’s longest flight spent more than two months in the air

Roberts Timm and Jim Cook, two pilots, flew an aircraft for more than two months without landing in 1958. Matching the speed of a truck moving down the road to refuel. A mattress for sleeping, a small steel sink for personal hygiene, the removal of most interior fittings to reduce weight, and a basic autopilot were among the improvements.

The fearless Annie Lee Cooper

The fearless Annie Lee Cooper

Annie Lee Cooper was fired in 1963 after attempting to register to vote. She attempted it once more in 1965, but the sheriff ordered her to leave after prodding her in the neck with a club. She then punched him, causing him to fall to the ground. She was imprisoned before ultimately registering to vote. Following the passage of the Voting Rights Act, the sheriff was ousted and subsequently imprisoned for collaborating to transport drugs, but Annie Lee Cooper lived to reach 100 years old and bears her name to this day.

How Magic Johnson Missed Out On $7 Billion Nike deal

How Magic Johnson Missed Out On $7 Billion Nike deal

Magic Johnson turned down a deal with Nike in 1979 that offered him 100,000 shares of stock and $1 for every pair of shoes sold. Instead, he chose Converse, which offered him $100,000 per year. Johnson lost about $5 billion by declining the Nike deal.

Couple reunites after 60 years apart

Couple reunites after 60 years apart

A Russian couple were reunited after being separated for 60 years. They were married for 3 days when the husband left to join the Red Army. They were unable to find each other until 60 years later when they randomly visited their hometown on the same day.