Emily King, 9, is active these days as a cheerleader in Sanford, where she is a third-grade student. Emily received a double lung transplant at age 2 and another at age 7.
She is the daughter of Justin and Stephanie King and has two brothers — Parker, 15, and Chase, 13.
“She is doing really good right now,” Emily’s mother said in a phone interview March 24. “She has been a fighter since she was born. She’s a feisty one.”
King teaches first grade at Buxton Center Elementary School. The school was recognized by New England Donor Services for its support of Emily and her family in a ceremony March 25.
King joined the Buxton faculty three years ago. “No one knew me yet, no one knew Emily’s story, yet they supported me with their whole hearts,” King said.
Emily was born with interstitial lung disease — a broad term for chronic lung disorders that lead to inflammation and irreversible scarring — and spent the first two years of her life on oxygen.
“But just one month later she caught human (metapneumovirus) — a common virus similar to RSV. It irreversibly damaged her already fragile lungs,” her mother said. “She was transferred to Boston and ended up on ECMO (oxygenation of the blood outside the body). She received her transplant after being listed for only 36 hours.”
After her transplant, Emily had “4 1/2 great years. I had just transferred to a new school, Buxton Center, when we were told that she had started to reject her lungs and the rejection process was moving very quickly,” King said.
Emily received a second transplant in July 2024 after being relisted for seven months.
“We are forever grateful to both her donors for giving her a second chance at life,” King said. “Choosing donation in their darkest times is truly courageous and makes all the difference to families like ours. Today, because of organ donation, Emily is active in school, competition cheer, and able to enjoy simple childhood fun like running again.”
King praised Buxton Center Elementary School, students, parents, administration, office staff and parents for their support, well-wishes and care packages. “One parent made my entire class ‘Empower/Team Emily’ shirts,” she said.
The shirts are Emily’s favorite colors — pink, purple and blue.
“There was not one person who did not jump in with a smile or warm wish. It truly was amazing,” King said.
While a teacher and mother, King has dedicated time to give back. New England Donor Services said in a press release that she has spent “countless hours” volunteering with the agency supporting other organ recipients and their families.
On March 25, Buxton Center Elementary was recognized for its support. King described the school as “an exceptional employer.”
Without hesitation, she said, everyone — many still strangers — at the school supported her through the difficult time. “They know me as Emily’s mom,” King said.
