Mom hears son's heart beat through organ recipient

The heart of a much younger man pumps in the chest of 62-year-old Terry Hooper. The heart belongs to 18-year-old Horace, North Dakota native Levi Schulz.

Schulz was hit by a vehicle in West Fargo and died in December 2012, but his death helped dozens of others live.

On Friday, April 1, Levi's mom got to hear her son's heart beat for the first time in four years.

"Every day, every minute, every hour, I get up I thank him, I go to bed I thank him," organ recipient Terry Hooper says as he talks about Levi.

It was always Terry's hope to meet the family of his donor, Levi Schulz.

Two months after Terry's transplant, he wrote to Levi's family. Just a few months later he got a response, and this is how they corresponded for a few years.

Levi's mother Lisa and twin brother Shelby traveled from North Dakota to Omaha, Nebraska to meet Terry. After the hugs, they share the stories behind the donations.

"He says ‘mom, who wouldn't want my awesomeness?’"

Mother Lisa says those were Levi's words before signing up to be a donor.

Then in 2012, Levi got a flat tire and was hit by a pickup along Sheyenne Street in West Fargo. He was killed almost instantly.

At the same time over in Nebraska, Terry's heart was giving out.

"At 52 days later, I got young Levi's heart because of a tragic story. I cry everyday,” Terry explains, holding back the tears.

There were plenty of tears Friday, especially when Lisa and Shelby heard Levi's heart for the first time since his passing.

The sound was captured and placed into a bear for them to hear anytime they want.

"Really good, it definitely sounds like it belongs there," Lisa said, listening to her son’s beating heart.

Terry is so quick with a joke, Lisa says that is the way Levi was. And Terry swears that quality is something he gained when he got Levi’s heart.

But that wasn't Levi’s only donation. He donated most of his organs, skin and eyes. In total, helping close to 60 people.

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