Atlanta mother needs second heart transplant after rejection

Sierra Hill faces another surgery after her first donor heart was damaged by rejection

Apr. 19, 2026 at 11:08pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray photograph revealing the internal structure of a human heart, with a fragile and damaged appearance that conceptually represents the medical challenges faced by transplant recipients.An X-ray image of a damaged heart highlights the critical need for more organ donors to help those awaiting life-saving transplants.Atlanta Today

Sierra Hill, a metro Atlanta mother, is back on the transplant list after her first donor heart was damaged by rejection. Hill received her initial heart transplant after being diagnosed with heart failure, but the new heart experienced significant rejection, requiring her to undergo the transplant process again.

Why it matters

More than 3,000 people in Georgia are currently on the waiting list for a life-saving organ transplant, and on average, 17 people die every day across the country while waiting for a donor. Officials are using National Donate Life Month to encourage more residents to sign up as organ donors, as one donor has the potential to help up to 75 people.

The details

After the birth of her second child, Sierra Hill sought medical help for chest pain and difficulty breathing, leading to a diagnosis of heart failure. She was placed on the transplant list and stayed in the hospital for three months before a donor heart became available. While Hill's life improved after her initial transplant, she has now been relisted for a second heart because the rejection damaged the first donor heart.

  • Sierra Hill was diagnosed with heart failure after the birth of her second child.
  • Hill stayed in the hospital for three months before receiving her first heart transplant.
  • After her initial transplant, Hill experienced significant rejection that damaged the donor heart.
  • Hill is now back on the transplant list, waiting for a second heart transplant.

The players

Sierra Hill

A metro Atlanta mother who received a heart transplant but is now back on the transplant list after her first donor heart was damaged by rejection.

LifeLink of Georgia

An organization that provides statistics on organ donation in Georgia and is encouraging more residents to sign up as organ donors during National Donate Life Month.

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What they’re saying

“To even get qualified for a transplant, you have to be sick, but you can't be too sick. Then, you have to go through, like, a mental check. They have to look at your financials.”

— Sierra Hill, Heart transplant recipient

“Because I had so much rejection in the beginning, it did damage the donor heart. I do have to go to that procedure again, but I'm not scared. I've been through it before.”

— Sierra Hill, Heart transplant recipient

What’s next

Officials from LifeLink Foundation encourage Georgians to get the facts about organ donation and make an informed decision. Potential donors can register online to leave what advocates call a "huge legacy" for those in need.

The takeaway

This story highlights the critical need for more organ donors in Georgia, as thousands of residents remain on the waiting list for life-saving transplants. Sierra Hill's experience underscores the challenges transplant recipients can face, even after a successful initial surgery, and the importance of raising awareness about organ donation during National Donate Life Month.