JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (WDRB) -- For one southern Indiana family, being home for the holidays this year means more than ever before.

During Christmas in 2021, Chloe Clark spent her first year of life in and out of the hospital. Then, during Christmas 2022, Chloe was in the middle of what ended up being a 15-month hospital stay at Norton Children's.

But this year, the now 2-year-old is spending her first holiday season at home, with few concerns about her heart.

Chloe was born with a severe, rare heart defect called Tricuspid Atresia. The right part of her heart did not work properly because the valve between the top of the heart and the bottom of the heart performed poorly or not at all.

While sometimes corrected with three surgeries, that was not the case for Chloe. Following her second surgery, it was recommended Chloe join the organ transplant list for a new heart.

Then, in May of 2023, Chloe received her new heart, and was released from the hospital in July.

"It was like one day she just took off and she just never looked back after that," Mackenzie Clark, Chloe's mom, said.

As the 2-year-old played, walked, and ran around her home, her parents Mackenzie and Jay shared what this moment has meant.

"It felt like a miracle and it kind of was. We received a gift you can't actually put a price tag on or you can't put in a box," Mackenzie Clark said. "To other people, 'home for the holidays,' is just a little Christmastime saying but for us, it was truly the magic of Christmas."

Since her transplant, Chloe has begun to develop, continue therapy and wean off medications.

"With the heart, there's been zero rejection, it's been perfect," Chloe's dad, Jay Clark, said. "She's not connected to any wires to her heart, no monitoring of her heart whatsoever."

"She went from doing nothing, to scooting, then crawling, then pulling up, then running, and she hasn't sat down ever since," said Mackenzie Clark.

While the Clark family's hands are busy with Chloe, there is another child in their hearts, one who lost their life so Chloe could live a healthy one.

"There's one family out there down this holiday because they're missing their loved one," said Jay Clark.

To honor the child who lost their life, the family burned a candle this season.

"It's kind of tradition for families that receive an organ to have a candle burning during the holidays," Jay Clark said.

And while the Clarks think of the family who gave them another holiday at home, they hope to pay it forward and encourage others to recognize the gift of life that comes from pediatric organ donation. 

"Their kid is a superhero, and Chloe's living and celebrating these holidays for two," Mackenzie Clark said. 

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