Video Podcasts

Overview:

In 2006, Casey Towers, a young mother of two from Waldorf, Md., received a heart transplant at the University of Maryland Medical Center after she was diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy a rare heart condition related to her pregnancy. She later learned the identiy of her donor Luke Abbate, a high school athlete who was killed in reckless driving accident. Four years after her transplant, Casey had the opportunity to meet Luke's parents, Steven and Maryanne Abbate. That's when they told her that she had become a character in the new film, 'The 5th Quarter', a film about Luke's death and the aftermath. Four other patients also received organs from Luke but Casey was the only one portrayed in the movie.

In this video, Casey also discusses how she learned about her donor, met his family, and her reaction to being portrayed in this new film. In addition, Dr. Erika Feller, Casey's cardiologist at UMMC, shares her insights about Casey's story and talks about the importance of organ donation.

Related Information:

• Heart Transplant Program
• University of Maryland Heart Center
• Heart Transplant Patient Stories
• Division of Transplantation