Las Vegas couple James and Carol Jimmerson lost their son Jacob last year following an overdose. Jacob had chosen to be an organ donor, so though James and Carol can't speak with their son, they can still hear his heartbeat.
For the first time, the Jimmersons met the Dallas man who received Jacob's heart, 22-year-old Kennedy Ngungutau. The Jimmersons braved the pandemic, and flew to Dallas from Las Vegas to meet Ngungutau for the first time, and hear Jacob's heart again.
Ngungutau said of the Jimmersons, "I feel amazing, to be honest. I know their son is not here in person, but a piece of him is still here. I love them with all of my heart, as if they were my parents."
James Jimmerson added, "It's irrevocably changed my wife's and my life, our whole family's life, but certainly his parents. But we are proud of Kennedy and proud of the outcome. He will always be part of our family in this way. It's an opportunity for us to help everyone recognize the need and the positivity of this type of a terrible result but a positive ending."
Receiving Jacob's heart inspired Ngungutau to undertake a new career path as well; he is now working at Baylor Scott & White, and is studying to become a cardiac transplant nurse.
Via WFAA
