A Star Wars toy with a lot of “HEART”
After 6 year old, Mason Thomas, received his new heart at a children’s hospital in Canada, he wanted to see his old heart that they had taken out.
The surgeons couldn’t do this as the old heart had been discarded but, to help Mason understand, they did the next best thing. They combined a 3D printed model of his damaged heart with a Star Wars Tie Fighter toy!
“This is an anatomically accurate representation of Mason’s heart”, said Dr. Charles Larson of the Edmonton hospital, “with colours to help him understand how the blood and oxygen were flowing, and which parts of his heart were too small and failing.”
Related: NEW Innovative Prosthetic Arm Named After Star Wars’ “Luke Skywalker”
Mason was born with a rare heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome and after a 3 year wait for a transplant and 2 surgeries, the young “Padawan” has made a remarkable recovery.
“It’s amazing,” said Mason of his new toy, “They show why my old heart couldn’t work and why I needed a new one.”
To help children like Mason get the medical help they need, visit your country’s Children’s Hospital Charities and donate.
Sick Kids Foundation
“Our vision is simple: Healthier Children. A Better World. We believe fighting for the health and well-being of children is one of the most powerful ways to improve society.”Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations
“We’re on a journey to raise support so paediatric hospitals can provide critical services and equipment that accelerate recoveries, shorten hospital stays and get kids back to living the childhoods they deserve.”
