7-Year-Old Duluth Girl On Waiting List: ‘Daddy, I Got A Heart!’

DULUTH, Minn. – A 7-year-old Duluth girl is recovering after what she calls a pinch-me moment. That’s because she received a heart transplant Thursday morning at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

“There’s no way to dream up how we feel. I was getting an oil change yesterday in Duluth, and Roya called me and started yelling, ‘Daddy, I got a heart, I got a heart,’” said Derek Snyder, father of Roya. 

“When she heard about the heart, she put her arm and she said, ‘Pinch me, am I dreaming,’” said Mya Snyder, mother of Roya.

Mya and Derek told FOX 21 they are so happy and thankful the surgery at 3 a.m. went well.

(Previous Story: Family Of Duluth Girl in Need of New Heart Raises Awareness)

Roya’s cardiac event happened May 5 of last year. She spent all summer and fall at home on a waiting list.

But at the beginning of January, she was moved to the Mayo Clinic where she’s been living and waiting ever since.

And now, as the family prays for a healthy recovery for Roya, they also understand that it took someone else’s worst day to make this possible for their family – the gift of life.

“It’s such a gift. And for someone to be having, you know, one of the darkest days of their life and think of others is amazing. Roya and I decided that Christmases and her birthday, we’re going to set an extra plate at the table for this, this angel. And yeah, she definitely will make her life well spent. And we’re really, really grateful for this,” Mya said.

Mya and Derek also said they are thankful for everybody in Duluth who has supported their family throughout the medical fight.

More than 500 people have donated to Roya’s COTA account for a total of $115,000, as of Thursday.

COTA stands for the Children’s Organ Transplant Association.

Money raised helps with life-long medical bills, including one to two more transplants throughout Roya’s life.