Baby Colette Crowell's heartbeat was a miracle born out of heartbreak. The five-month-old's birth came nearly eight years after her mom received a new heart from a Long Island high school football player killed in a freak accident.
Thomas Cutinella's organ was transplanted into deathly ill stranger Karen Hill Crowell to save her life. That heart transplant did not only save her life but enabled her to create a new life as well.
Crowell's very special delivery was cheered by the new parents and the Cutinella family, who were equally thrilled. The new mom told the New York Daily News that they got together under such unfortunate and tragic incidents, and this is the positive thing that came out of it. She added that Thomas' heart had given life to their daughter.
Thomas Cutinella donated his heart after dying in a freak accident
Also emotional was Kelli Cutinella, whose eldest son died during an October 1, 2014, football game after a helmet-to-helmet collision. Thomas stood up after the hit and then collapsed on the field. The 16-year-old died at a local hospital despite desperate efforts to save his life.
He was able to help others, though, even in death, as his heart was transplanted into Crowell two days later. She welcomed her little daughter on May 26 this year, which would not be possible without Thomas' heart, according to Fox 5.
Kelli said that the first heartbeat she ever heard was Tom's, which validates that his heart was incredibly strong when he passed along the gift of life. Crowell became a part of the extended Cutinella family when Thomas' heart was transplanted into her.
She was a cross-country runner in high school until a congestive heart failure diagnosis derailed her promising athletic career. The then-Fordham University student was left with a grim prognosis of transplant or death.
Crowell and Cutinellas became close after the heart transplant
Crowell was hospitalized with a regimen of IVs and electrodes to keep her faltering organ functioning when Thomas died. A lasting connection was forged from the tragedy and the heart transplant, with Kelli first inviting Crowell in 2015 to her suburban home to launch their friendship.
Crowell recounted that they came to their wedding, and Kelli came to their baby shower with her sisters and their mom. She added that it was very special to her and her family to have them there as they developed a close bond over the years.
The two even teamed up to join the annual Tunnel to Towers 5K run that ended at the site of the World Trade Center back in 2018. The heart donation was made possible through LiveOnNY, a nonprofit organization committed to finding organ and tissue donations for New Yorkers in need.
