11-month-old Jack Larry receives long-awaited heart transplant

WASHINGTON — In June 2024, we told you about a brave little boy named Jack who was taking on the biggest fight of his life.

One side of Jack Larry's heart was too large, so when he was just four months old, he was put on the heart transplant list at Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C. More than six months later, we learned last week that Jack had received his new heart.

Jack's family shared these photos with WUSA9. Larry's family says Jack is recovering well. The family expects Jack will spend another month or two at Children's Hospital recovering. It will take some time for Jack to get used to his new heart.

Sydney O'Rear is one of the nurses who has been caring for Jack from the beginning. WUSA9 spoke with her in June.

“Jack is an amazing baby,” O'Rear said. “He's resilient, brave and strong.”

Pediatric heart transplants can be difficult because there are so many factors that must be considered to ensure success.

“Children are tricky because with any organ transplant you have to have the same blood type, match the antibodies, so all the blood work has to match, but with children you also have to worry about size,” Olea said of the search for new hearts.

Jack's mother, Rachel, remained positive as Jack patiently waited for his new heart.

“There's so much good in people and in life,” Rachel Lally said, “and we're trying to help Jack see all of that good.”

The family has invited WUSA9 to join them on the day baby Jack is finally able to leave the hospital, and we'll be sure to follow the story and bring you updates.

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