Good News From Jordan Merecka '16

We heard from a friend this week and wanted to share his update with the Aggie Network.

Jordan Merecka '16 was born with multiple congenital heart defects and endured numerous surgeries as a child, including an implanted defibrillator. In September 2010, his heart began to fail and he was placed on a waiting list for a heart transplant. In May 2011, he was implanted with an artificial heart in a groundbreaking surgery intended to keep him alive until a suitable donor heart could be found.

Read about the groundbreaking surgery to implant Jordan's artificial heart.

In September 2011, a human donor heart was obtained and Jordan had transplant surgery. But by 2015 he was in need of another transplant, so he was again admitted to Texas Children's Hospital, where he would wait until--and if--a suitable donor heart could be found.

Unfortunately, that meant he was going to spend his 22nd birthday in the hospital. His poor health also meant there was no chance at all that he would be able to join his Classmates for Aggie Ring Day, one of the most important and memorable days of any Aggie's time at Texas A&M. Given the rarity of suitable donor hearts, there was even a chance Jordan wouldn't be around long enough to see the Ring he had earned.

Word of Jordan's situation made its way from his friends on the staff at Texas A&M-Galveston to The Association of Former Students. Staff in The Association's Aggie Ring Program worked with the Aggie Ring manufacturer, Balfour, to expedite Jordan's Ring. It wouldn't quite be ready by his birthday, so Joshua Garcia '13, who was working in the Ring office at the time, made a short video to deliver to Jordan, wishing him a happy birthday and letting him know his Ring was on the way.

Not long after, Jordan's Class of' 16 Aggie Ring was delivered to him at Texas Children's Hospital. A friend captured the moment and tweeted it: 

https://twitter.com/tcfitz3/status/606872437901291520

Jordan would eventually receive his second heart transplant, enabling him to recover and resume his studies at TAMUG, where he is now getting close to graduating with a degree in maritime administration. We recently received this beautiful photo and sweet note from him via Instagram:

"My last summer trip in Seaside, Fla., before graduation. Y'all made it possible for me to get my ring early while I was in the hospital awaiting my 2nd transplant. Something I will forever be thankful for and showed me the true Aggie Spirit. Thanks and gig 'em, Jordan Merecka, Class of '16"

Gig 'em indeed, Jordan! So glad to hear from you. Congratulations on your approaching graduation, and thank you for allowing us to share a tiny little piece of your inspiring life's journey.