Whiz Kid: Peekskill's Heart Transplant Recipient Miles Banks

Name: Miles Banks

Age: 18 years old

School: Peekskill High School class of 2011

Accomplishment: After falling ill December 2010, Miles was forced to undergo in May of this year. A little over a month after receiving his new heart, Miles proudly graduated from PHS, and recently did the coin toss for the ARMY Homecoming Football game at West Point Military Academy.

Key to Awesomeness: It was almost a year ago that PHS student and football player, Miles Banks received word that he would need a new heart because a severe case of pneumonia had caused his heart to become enlarged.

“They put me on pills first, but they weren’t working,” Banks said.

Throughout this scary time in his life, Banks was brave, kept a positive attitude and relied on the support of friends and family to get him through his hardest moments.

“I just kept a good head on my shoulders,” Banks said. “I tried not to think about it a lot.”

“My mom and dad got me through it, and I had about five really close friends that stood by me and got me through my worst days.”

After a few short weeks of recovery Banks took an ambulate straight from the hospital to his high school graduation, where he was able to receive his diploma with the rest of his graduating class.

“I was bed-ridden so long my legs had become weak,” Banks said. “I had to use a wheelchair, but I made it.”

Recently, through the Make A Wish Foundation, Banks, who once aspired to play football professionally, was given the opportunity to do the coin toss for the ARMY Homecoming game at West Point Military Academy.

“It was really nice,” Banks said. “I got to meet the Dean too.”

Because of his medical condition he can no longer play sports, but Banks isn’t letting that discourage him in any way, and he is looking forward to his next goals. He has plans to attend Westchester Community College in the fall, and is considering a career in the field of Criminal Justice.

“Even though I can’t play football any more, there are still a lot of things I can do,” Banks said.

Banks hopes others that are facing similar challenges will receive encouragement from his story, and approach their situations with optimism. His message to all is to “be strong.”

“Life is important, and there’s a long way to go,” Banks said.  “Just never give up hope.”

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