May the heart be with you: Transplant hopeful receives good news from Star Wars' Chewbacca

Subrata Thakar | | Cardiovascular Business | Structural Heart Disease

Avid Star Wars fan Austin Eggleston, a 15-year-old heart transplant hopeful, finally received the news he was going to receive a new heart from a character from a galaxy far, far away. 

Months ago, pediatric cardiologist Phillip Thrush, MD, of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, promised his young patient he would personally deliver the news when a heart became available. When it did, he dressed as Chewbacca from Star Wars—and even spoke fluent “Wookiee.” 

Austin was in the hospital for four months due to three congenital heart defects before finally hearing the news. 

"To see him knowing that he has a chance at life, that he has a chance to achieve so many things leaves you speechless," said Mary Anglin, Austin's mother, to the Chicago ABC affiliate WLS-TV. 

Austin recently had a successful transplant surgery.

To read and see more, click the link below.

Doctor dressed as Chewbacca tells boy he's getting a new heart

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Subrata Thakar

As a senior news writer for TriMed, Subrata covers cardiology, clinical innovation and healthcare business. She has a master’s degree in communication management and 12 years of experience in journalism and public relations.

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