At her 12-week ultrasound, Leia Heckman received devastating news: her baby had a fatal birth defect called Anencephaly. Even in that moment of heartbreak, Leia thought of others. She asked about organ and tissue donation, wanting to give her daughter, Gilda, the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy. The decision felt natural. Leia had always been a registered organ donor, as were her parents.
Months later, Leia gave birth to Gilda, who was missing parts of her skull and brain because of the condition. Leia and her husband Jon treasured precious moments with their daughter. They bathed and fed Gilda, and each family member had the opportunity to hold her before they said goodbye.
Gilda’s impact
Gilda’s gifts went on to make a life-changing impact. One of her heart valves was transplanted into a boy in California, giving him a second chance at life. Her lung tissue was donated to childhood asthma research, helping advance science to benefit countless others. Other tissues, sent to Duke University Medical Center, are furthering Anencephaly research.
Today, Gilda remains a cherished part of the Heckman family. Every year, Leia, Jon, their two sons, daughter and extended family gather to celebrate Gilda’s birthday in a garden created and cared for by a family friend in her memory.
The family finds other meaningful ways to honor Gilda, too. They treasure a gold donor medal from Gift of Life and contributed a square to the Threads of Love Memorial Quilt, and the International Institute for the Advancement of Medicine (IIAM) named a star after Gilda.
Leia now works in the ChristianaCare NICU and regularly interacts with the team that assisted her during Gilda’s pregnancy. The memory of Gilda, and the spirit of giving, guides Leia and her family each day.
“There’s a beauty in her life and her death, which in turn gave life to someone else,” Leia said.
Honor Gilda’s legacy when you register as an organ donor at donors1.org/register