4 Years Post-Christmas Miracle Transplant, LI Baby Thrives: 'Grateful'

WADING RIVER, NY — It has been four years since a baby's Christmas miracle captured the hearts of a community: Ruby June Cotter of Wading River received her life-saving new heart just before Christmas in 2019.

Now, four years later, Ruby is thriving. Her father Brian posted about their daughter's progress on Facebook on Dec. 22, the anniversary of the day their little girl received her miracle.

"Four years ago today, Ruby was given a second chance at life. Whether she knows it or not, Ruby has lived the last four years to the fullest. She’s full of love and affection. She’s full of energy and excitement. She’s full of wonder and fire. Laughter and inspiration," he wrote.

"We celebrate today for Ruby and her beautiful donor," Cotter said. "Not a day goes by where we aren’t reminded of how lucky we are to have Ruby in our lives. Without her donor and their family's loss, we wouldn’t be celebrating her life. Ruby has fought hard, she’s overcome fears, and she’s learned a lot over the last four years — not yet realizing how far she’s come and what she’s gone through. We never stop thinking about all the people who helped her and us as a family get through the struggle. Doctors, nurses, specialists, friends, family, neighbors, and strangers. We love you all."

Speaking with Patch, Cotter reflected on the day Ruby received her transplant. "She was just six months old. It’s hard to relive the emotions of that day. Being happy and relieved, but also terrified. Not to mention the sadness of knowing a family lost their baby. Although we celebrate her heart day once a year like a birthday, we think about Ruby’s donor every day. We are so lucky to have her. She’s so funny and so smart. An old, sensitive soul. An amazing big sister and just an overall sweetheart."

The Cotter family has seen unthinkable challenges. Two years after Ruby received her heart transplant, they were told their second child, Everett, ("Buddy"), who was turning a year old, also needed a new heart.

But in 2022, it was a Christmas miracle, times two, for the Wading River parents. Their two children both continued thriving after life-saving heart transplants. And to make the season even more meaningful — last year marked the first time all four were home together, and not in the hospital, for Christmas.

"Our true Christmas miracles," Brian Cotter wrote on Facebook.

Six months after his diagnosis, the Cotters got the news that their baby boy would have his second chance, Cotter said. Since the surgery, he's been getting better every day.

And both babies are a forever reminder that their donors' gave them the greatest gift of all — the gift of life, he said.

"We are forever grateful," Cotter said.