Tommy entered the world in 2000 with half a heart. The otherwise-perfect 7-pound baby faced a life-threatening congenital defect that caused the left side of his heart to be critically underdeveloped. At just seven days old, Tommy underwent his first of six heart surgeries, enduring many years of critical medical challenges.

The generosity of a little girl’s family gave 8-year-old Tommy — who was running out of time — a chance to grow up.

Fast forward nearly 25 years. Tommy now works as a nurse assistant on the same hospital floor where he once fought for his life. This spring, he earned his nursing degree and hopes to work on a pediatric unit, particularly cardiac, so he can help other kids with heart disease.