On February 14, while many celebrate Valentine’s Day, the Clayborne household in Ennis marks the occasion with a different significance.
“For us, it’s officially National Donor Day,” Dr. Brittany Clayborne emphasized. “Because without my organ donor, Gary, and the organ transplant process, there wouldn’t be a ‘me’ today.”
Thirteen years ago, Clayborne gave birth prematurely to her only child, Micah, who weighed just two pounds and required care in the NICU. Shortly after, Clayborne found herself in the cardiac ICU.
“They told me I had a heart attack within the past week,” Clayborne recounted. “I said, no, I’ve just had a baby. Is it the same thing?”
Although she received a pacemaker, Clayborne’s heart condition continued to deteriorate.
“A transplant wasn’t something I had ever considered,” Clayborne stated. “That was the beginning of this journey with my heart.”
Last December, Clayborne encountered an unexpected passenger on this journey.
“The doctors told me he would need a heart transplant,” Clayborne remembered. “They said, ‘This is the worst case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy I’ve ever seen.’ It was, and still is, the most devastating news I’ve ever received.”
Just two weeks ago, at the age of 13, Micah Clayborne was placed on the heart transplant list.
“We’ve been through this before,” Micah remarked. “I’m somewhat used to it, so I know I can handle it. If she can, then I can too because I share her genes, and she’s a fighter.”
Micah runs a nonprofit called Micah Gives, which provides BRAVE bags to children in hospitals. Through the charity’s MVP Program, patients and families attended a Dallas Mavericks game on National Donor Day, courtesy of a donated suite at the American Airlines Center.
Dr. Brittany Clayborne earned her master’s degree while awaiting a heart transplant and completed her Doctorate of Psychology while battling cancer. She’s now in remission and operates a nonprofit called Brittany Speaks, which supports the emotional and psychological needs of individuals facing medical challenges.
For those interested in registering as organ donors, more information can be found here.
