Meet Aneylis!

Over 20 years ago, Luciano’s became the first in her family to be diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a genetic heart condition that also affected her brother and sister. Her younger brother, an active athlete, was diagnosed at 10 years old but tragically passed away at 15. Years later, her sister developed the condition as well, with complications that worsened following pregnancy.

Her own journey began during pregnancy, when she developed heart failure just four months in. After delivering her baby prematurely via C-section, she struggled for several years but eventually stabilized. For a time, she lived normally, but the stress of the pandemic and caring for her husband during his COVID illness caused her heart to weaken again. Despite a pacemaker and ongoing treatments, her heart function never improved, and she was placed on the transplant waitlist.

In February 2024, her condition suddenly worsened when she experienced a dangerous arrhythmia that lasted more than 24 hours. Her defibrillator shocked her heart back into rhythm, and doctors quickly moved her to the top of the transplant list. Days later, she received the life-changing news that a donor heart was available.

Her transplant at NewYork-Presbyterian was successful, but her recovery was far from easy. What was expected to be a 10-day hospital stay turned into five months due to pneumonia, infections, and early rejection. Despite the setbacks, the hospital staff became like family, lifting her spirits and supporting her every step of the way. They even celebrated her birthday in the hospital with a cake and flowers, a gesture she still treasures.

Today, she continues to recover and grow stronger. She credits her care team for their dedication, and Harboring Hearts for easing the burden on her family during the most difficult times. With support for gas and transportation, she was able to attend frequent hospital visits and physical therapy sessions, making her long journey a little bit easier.

Her story is one of resilience, gratitude, and hope—a reminder of the extraordinary strength it takes to fight through a transplant journey.