PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — CJ Adams of York County is a lifelong Phillies fan thanks to his late great-grandfather, Perry.
CJ tries to watch the games as often as possible, checks the score every day, and has immersed himself in stats, finding out everything he can through research.
It was his love of the Phillies and sports that helped him get through a trying time of many hospital visits and surgeries, before receiving a life-saving heart transplant this past January at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. CJ was on the list for 3 ½ years, which his mother Jessica Adams explained is a long time to wait. She said his antibody count was the reason, and they could only match him to 15% of the population.
Then, in January, they received a late-night phone call about a match.
CJ underwent surgery and feels much better. He is looking forward to playing sports, something he couldn’t do before. And, fittingly, CJ says he wants to be a heart surgeon one day.
Also, the Phillies invited CJ’s friend, Logan, to the ballpark for Organ Donor Awareness Night with Gift of Life Donor Program, and CJ got to throw out a ceremonial first pitch.
Phillies PA announcer Dan Baker shouted, “FASTBALL,” after CJ’s pitch to the Phillie Phanatic.
For more information about organ donation or to register to become an organ donor, visit donors1.org.
To hear more about CJ’s story, check out the latest edition of the KYW Newsradio Philadelphia Sports Fan of the Week