Now, fourteen-year-old Levi Stolker has become a symbol of hope and resilience. He ended up getting a heart transplant because he had a bad family history of genetic heart complications. Levi was recently diagnosed with an ultra-rare mutation of the phospholamban (PLN) gene. His journey very much mirrors that of his mother, Leonnee Stolker, who has similarly battled these debilitating health challenges. The Stolker family’s experience highlights the profound impact of organ donation and the strength of familial ties in overcoming adversity.
Levi’s health conditions came to a head when he started having shortness of breath after going on a school hike. Fearing the worst, his mother immediately checked him into a local hospital. There, doctors were able to run tests and diagnose him with a rare genetic mutation that had made his heart beat abnormally. Informed by doctors, Levi’s family learned that for Levi to survive he would have to be put on the transplant list. This announcement came as a surprise to the Stolkers, because Leonnee had fought her own battle with this genetic condition earlier.
A Family History of Heart Disease
The Stolker family’s struggles didn’t start when Levi was diagnosed. This is how quickly her world changed. Leonnee Stolker found out she’d inherited the same genetic mutation soon after giving birth to Levi. Just weeks prior to his birth, she began experiencing heart failure. This led her to start her own medical adventure to achieve her own heart transplant. Leonnee went on to receive her transplant shortly thereafter, but the pall of their shared genetic mutation cast a long shadow over the family.
Further complicating their medical history, in 2017, Levi’s father, Joe Stolker—an advocate and activist—received a kidney transplant. As a consequence of his focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), which was the cause of his kidney failure, he spent six years on dialysis. Despite their hardships, the experiences of both parents provided a rich foundation of resilience and determination in Levi’s life. It was in their struggles that he discovered the meaning of health and the importance of organ donation.
Recovery and Resilience
Once he was put on the transplant list, Levi got the life-saving heart transplant he needed badly. His recovery journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, he’s been knocking out recovery goals left and right and adjusting to his new normal. The future stars The Inu-born young rugby player represent his Shrewsbury School and the Pirates Rugby Club, Tamworth. It’s this love for the game that will help him heal 100 percent. It’s an impressive, eye-popping moment that highlights his remarkable fighter’s spirit and will to return to the turf.
Levi’s miraculous recovery has inspired his family and his hometown of Hico, Texas. Friends and teammates have come to his side, being there for him as he adjusts to life in this new reality. With each step Levi continues to heal and he expressed tremendous appreciation for the organ donation as a whole. It has provided her son, Marlon, with a second shot at life.
Community Initiative for Transplant Awareness
Inspired by their own experiences, the Stolker family is working to raise awareness about the need for organ donation. They are passionate about helping others who are going through the same thing. Next month, they are bringing a rugby union match to Tamworth, with all profits from the event donated to Transplant Australia. This event aims to raise funds and awareness for those awaiting organ transplants while honoring the gift of life that has been bestowed upon them.
The Stolkers hope that their story can encourage more people to consider organ donation. They want to invite you all to share your own experience to the global community. By leading with their example, they hope to engender understanding and empathy for people who experience health difficulties due to failing organs.
