Life Changes: Jaylen Clausell

A star athlete at Pine Forest High School in Pensacola, Florida, Jaylen Clausell was living the dream. He routinely dazzled fans with his athletic ability and had earned 11 college scholarship offers. The epitome of physical fitness, he never imagined he would wake up in a hospital bed clinging to life.

Jaylen was a sophomore in high school when he suffered cardiac arrest and collapsed while practicing basketball with his teammates. He was hospitalized and his heart failed again soon after. Jaylen, who had never suffered a broken bone or had surgery, was placed on life support for five days. Doctors diagnosed him with a rare genetic condition known as ARVC, a form of cardiomyopathy. There is no cure for the disease. Without a new heart his condition would deteriorate.

Thanks to the generosity of an organ donor, Jaylen received a heart transplant at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville on October 25, 2018. This precious gift has given Jaylen a second chance for a comeback both on and off the field.

“Organ donation gave me a second chance at life, and I’m very grateful for that opportunity,” Jaylen said. “It’ll allow me to follow my dreams.”