Minnesota Boy Who Received Heart Transplant at 10 Months Old Thriving at Age 5

William Staley Olesen overcame rare condition to receive lifesaving transplant and is now full of energy and excitement for the future.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:41pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray photograph of a young child's chest, revealing the intricate structure of their heart and lungs in glowing lines against a dark background, conveying the fragility and resilience of the human body.A remarkable X-ray image reveals the complex medical journey of a young heart transplant recipient, now thriving with a renewed sense of life.Fargo Today

At 5 years old, William Staley Olesen is a bundle of energy, running, laughing, and playing. But his joyful childhood belies the medical challenges he has already overcome. William received a heart transplant at just 10 months old after being diagnosed with the rare condition heterotaxy syndrome, which caused severe abnormalities in his heart and other organs. After a long wait for a donor heart, William's transplant surgery was a success, and he is now thriving under the care of his dedicated medical team.

Why it matters

Pediatric heart transplants are extremely rare, with only about 2,300 people in Minnesota waiting for organ transplants overall, including 23 children waiting for pediatric hearts. William's story highlights the life-changing impact that organ donation can have, as well as the ongoing medical needs and support required for transplant recipients.

The details

William was diagnosed with heterotaxy syndrome before birth, a condition that can cause organs in the chest and abdomen to form abnormally or be misplaced. In addition to his heart defects, William was born with other complications that required multiple surgeries in his first weeks of life. Doctors determined William's heart defects were too severe to repair, and a transplant was his best long-term option. After waiting 305 days, William received his new heart in a successful surgery. Less than a day later, he was alert, extubated, and looking to play.

  • William was diagnosed with heterotaxy syndrome before birth.
  • William was delivered at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and then transferred to Children's Minnesota for specialized care.
  • William received his heart transplant at 10 months old.
  • William is now 5 years old and thriving.

The players

William Staley Olesen

A 5-year-old boy who received a heart transplant at 10 months old after being diagnosed with the rare condition heterotaxy syndrome.

Katie Staley

William's mother.

Betsy Olesen

William's mother.

Holly Thompson

A nurse practitioner with the Heart Failure and Transplant Program at Children's Minnesota, who has been caring for William.

Children's Minnesota

The hospital where William received his specialized care and heart transplant.

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What they’re saying

“What really I remember is the moment I got to see him, and they rolled me back into the room, and he just grabbed my finger, and he looked directly in my eyes, and he just, like, was completely calm.”

— Katie Staley, William's mother

“They can be simultaneously happy that their child gets a second chance at life, while devastated for another family that they are having to make the ultimate decision.”

— Holly Thompson, Nurse practitioner, Heart Failure and Transplant Program at Children's Minnesota

“William is exactly what we hope for when we pursue organ transplantation. He is happy. He is healthy.”

— Holly Thompson, Nurse practitioner, Heart Failure and Transplant Program at Children's Minnesota

What’s next

William will continue to be monitored by his transplant team at Children's Minnesota every three months, as a transplant is not a cure and he will require lifelong follow-up care.

The takeaway

William's remarkable progress after his heart transplant at just 10 months old is a testament to the life-changing impact of organ donation. His story highlights the critical need for more organ donors, as well as the ongoing medical support and care required for pediatric transplant recipients to thrive.