Hello, my name is Paitn Marie Verrill and I am from Gardiner, Maine.  I was born on May 27, 2007 at 10:40 a.m. in Waterville, Maine.  I have bright blue eyes, gorgeous red hair, an infectious smile and a spirit that is beyond description.  Everyone always asks if I have a 'red head attitude'.  Well, yeah.....basically, I know what I want and when I want it.  But to know me is.......to love me. 

     On January 28^th, 2008, the day after I turned 8 months old -- my life and the lives of those that love me changed forever.  My parents, Ashley Hathaway and James Verrill took me to the Maine General Medical Center emergency room, in Augusta, Maine for what they believed was a cold.  My heart rate accelerated to over 250.  Me and my Mama were airlifted to Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine while my Dada drove like crazy to meet us there.  On January 30, 2008, I was transported, via ambulance, to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit of Boston Children's Hospital where my Mama, Dada, along with many doctors and nurses took very good care of me.  I was diagnosed with RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and Dilated Cardiomyopathy, "which means big heart" a condition where my heart became enlarged and weakened, and my heart could not efficiently pump my blood.  I needed a heart transplant, fast!! 

     I was listed for a heart transplant on the day after Valentine’s.  Four days later, it was decided that I would receive a Berlin Heart EXCOR Pediatric VAD (ventricular assist device) to assist me and keep me alive until my perfect heart arrived.  The Berlin Heart is the only pediatric heart pump that provides medium-to-long-term mechanical circulatory support for infants and children awaiting heart transplantations.  The device has been approved in Germany and Europe since 1992, but does not have FDA approval for use in pediatric hospitals in the United States.  I received my Berlin Heart on February 23, 2008 under the FDA’s emergency or “compassionate use” regulations.

     My perfect new heart arrived on March 19, 2008!!!  I received the most generous gift of a second chance at life from people who do not even know me.....for that I will forever be grateful.  I was discharged from the hospital on April 8, 2008.  My parents and I spent some time with GA Mary and GU Ted in Manchester, NH who were very kind to give us a temporary home close to BCH.

     I arrived back home in Maine on May 13, 2008 to a very nice G-Town welcome.  We quietly celebrated my first birthday on May 27, 2008 as my Mama and Dada are post-poning the really big celebration until I am well enough to be with lots and lots of Team Paitn members.

       Currently, I still make weekly trips to Boston or Portland and I am on 10 medications that help me keep my new heart.  My Team has signed on with a great organization, Children’s Organ Transplant Association, (COTA), a national charity based in Bloomington, Indiana.  COTA is dedicated to organizing and guiding communities in raising funds for transplant-needy patients.  COTA’s services are completely free of charge and 100% of funds generated by COTA fundraising campaigns are available for transplant-related expenses.  Did you know that most transplants last only 10 - 20 years?  With the cost of transplant related expenses often exceeding $500,000, many transplant patients are unable to shoulder the burden of transplant and transplant related expenses.

     My Team's goal is to raise an estimated $60,000 for  transplant and transplant related expenses.  I show my team how much I appreciate their efforts by living life the 'Paitn way' as I truly appreciate their generosity which has given me a second chance at life.

     Let's all do the Paitn!  Why not give a gesture, wave, smile, dance, hug or kiss to someone in your life that needs it?  No one knows what tomorrow will bring so pay it forward while you have the chance.  Thank you ~ Miss Paitn Marie