A Heart That Lives On

Fuquay-Varina Family Meets Teen Who Received Their Daughter's Heart

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA / ACCESS Newswire / March 25, 2025 / In honor of Donate Life Month, the Minsk family from Fuquay-Varina, N.C., is sharing their story two years after the heartbreaking loss of their 15-year-old daughter, Celina, who passed away from a severe peanut allergy. In the midst of their grief, they chose to donate her organs, a selfless act that went on to save five lives.

One of those lives was Haley Poore, a 16-year-old from Virginia, who received Celina's heart in a lifesaving transplant. After two years of wondering, hoping, and healing, Celina's family was finally able to meet Haley and her family last month, an encounter filled with overwhelming gratitude and emotion.

"I was so incredibly grateful and thankful to meet them," said Mayda Minsk, Celina's mother. "I can't even imagine the powerlessness they must have felt, waiting on a heart for their daughter. Haley probably had another month, tops. Meeting them brought a really big sense of relief, like a weight lifted, knowing that Celina's heart is still beating. It definitely gave us some peace."

The initial meeting took place on the anniversary weekend of Celina's passing at the Minsk home, a poignant moment that provided Celina's parents with an opportunity to listen to their daughter's heartbeat once again.

"It was an incredible moment," said Mayda Minsk. "Very emotional, very surreal."

Since then, the Minsk and Poore families have already met again in the mountains of North Carolina, where they deepened their connection and celebrated the life that now links them forever.

Though her life was tragically cut short, Celina's generosity and spirit continue to live on in those she saved. Her family hopes that by sharing their experience, more people will be inspired to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors and give the ultimate gift of life.

We believe this is an ideal local story to feature for Donate Life Month. If you're interested in interviewing Celina's parents, John and Mayda Minsk, or connecting with Haley Poore's family, please reach out to Dena Daw, Media Relations Content Writer at HonorBridge.

To sign up to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor, visit honorbridge.org/registerme

SOURCE: HonorBridge