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.

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 was placed on life support for five days. Doctors diagnosed him with a form of cardiomyopathy.

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 will allow me to follow my dreams.”