Zach and Pam Stern: A Mother’s Heart Transplant and a Son’s Lasting Legacy
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- 7 min read
Pam Stern and her son Zach always had an incredibly close relationship. Pam says Zach was known for his beautiful smile and an incredible sense of humor. Pam loved being his mom at every stage of his life, watching him grow from a baby to a toddler and into an adult.
About a year-and-a-half after having Zach, at age 31, Pam was diagnosed with familial dilated cardiomyopathy (FDCM), a heart condition that ran in their family. Recent studies show FDCM is more fatal for men than women. Pam experienced profound loss in her family from this heart condition. Her father and grandfather both passed away in their early 40s, and her two uncles tragically passed away at a young age from the same condition.
Zach’s Sudden Diagnosis
In 2019, when Zach was 25 years old, he was also diagnosed with the heart condition and regularly saw his cardiologist to determine the best medications to keep his heart stable. From February through May 2019, Zach was in the hospital. He had three separate admissions and was hospitalized for the majority of those four months, returning home only for a week or two between each stay.
Because of COVID-19, Zach was cautious and did not want to be around too many people when he was sick. At one point, he took an extended leave from his job and moved in with Pam so she could help take care of him.
Unfortunately, Zach’s condition progressed so quickly that there wasn’t enough time for him to be placed on national transplant waiting list for a new heart. On August 4, 2020, just one month after returning to work, Zach went in for his shift, and his heart suddenly stopped working. It took two hours to revive Zach’s heart, and by then, it was too late. Zach passed away at the age of 26.
Zach’s Gifts of Life: Registering to be an Organ, Eye and Tissue Donor
Around age 13, Zach’s uncle received two liver transplants and he experienced how donation and transplantation can save lives and the impact it has on families. Zach told Pam from a young age that he would register as an organ, eye and tissue donor when he got his driver's license, so he too could help save lives like his uncle.
When Pam was in the hospital with Zach, she was approached by an Infinite Legacy representative to notify her that Zach was a registered donor and he had the opportunity to save lives through organ and tissue donation. Pam agreed, knowing how important Zach’s decision was to him. She cherished the last few days she had with him in the hospital and on the day of his organ recovery, the hospital arranged an Honor Walk.
The hospital staff lined up against the walls to honor Zach’s heroic decision. That morning, Infinite Legacy also had a flag raising ceremony at the hospital for Zach. Pam recalls this being a touching tribute to honor Zach, as it allowed friends and family to attend. Franklin Square Hospital recently created a Donor Honor Wall with names of organ, eye and tissue donor heroes, including Zach.
Because of Zach’s selfless decision, he saved and healed 57 lives. Zach donated his liver, kidneys, heart valves, arteries, veins, bones, cardiac tissues, skins and vascular and bone tissues. Pam was extremely proud of Zach.
“I like to say not only did Zach’s gifts help those he saved and healed, but the ripple effect it had. It touched and helped his recipients' families, friends and other loved ones who care about them.” -Pam
Special Memories Between Zach and Pam: Remembering Zach’s Childhood
As a child, Zach loved playing with monster trucks. Once he could speak, he would frequently share the real names of the monster trucks and the drivers with Pam. He brought a monster truck with him everywhere he went. Pam loved taking Zach to see monster truck shows so he could see his favorite monster trucks and drivers in person.
Every other week, Pam would take Zach to the library to check out 10 books. After the library, they’d stop at Dunkin Donuts, and Zach got to pick two Munchkin donut holes for a snack. Once home, Zach would grab his favorite stuffed animal, Bun, a little blue bunny and head straight to the couch to read his new books with Pam. Zach’s aunt gifted Bun to him at birth and it became his favorite comfort item as a child. Pam still has Bun and holds him from time to time for comfort. She brought Bun to the hospital and funeral home to remember Zach and keep his childhood memories alive.
In elementary school, Pam became Zach’s “room mom.” She attended as many school events as possible and enjoyed watching Zach learn and have fun.
“I went on all his field trips with him. He loved having me around as much as I loved being there. We had a very special bond.” -Pam
They continued to remain close in his teenage years and made memories through shared experiences. Zach started taking golf lessons at 13 years old and would often go play with his friends whenever he could. He even taught Pam how to play. Together, they also went to concerts including Bruce Springsteen and other classic rock artists.
Fun Fact: Zach loved country music! He was a devoted Yankees fan and supported the Indianapolis Colts.
Honoring Zach’s Life: A Talented Chef Who Brought Joy Through Food and Humor
When Zach was 14, he began working at his neighbor's seafood restaurant, Conrad’s Crabs and Seafood Market, steaming crabs. This fueled his passion for cooking. Pam loved everything he made.
When Zach went to college, he originally majored in engineering but realized being a chef was his true passion. Zach decided to pursue culinary arts and worked at a Baltimore Michelin Star restaurant, The Charleston, alongside Chef Cindy Wolf. He also worked for a high-end catering company. He was a talented and creative chef, focused on crafting his original recipes, and he thrived in the restaurant's environment. Zach truly loved interacting with people when he cooked and the shared memories it created for his family and customers.
From a young age, Zach got along with everyone and made friends easily. Because of his close relationship with Pam, he called her every night to hear about her day and talk about his. Pam loved talking to Zach and he is dearly missed by all who loved and knew him.
Fun Fact: Zach had the opportunity to cook for a few notable figures, like former President Bill Clinton and his staff. He even catered to the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team on multiple occasions at Camden Yards. The players complimented Zach on his delicious food and requested him as their chef when they were in Baltimore!
One of Pam’s favorite memories was when Zach and his girlfriend joined her and her partner Mike on a 10-day Caribbean cruise ship right before he got sick. They made fun memories together, not knowing it would be their last family vacation. Zach’s condition took a turn within a month of returning from their trip.
Pam’s Heart Decline: Joining the National Transplant Waiting List
For about 25 years, Pam’s managed her heart condition and was stable. She visited her doctors every six months to a year for a heart echo and took her medications regularly. It wasn’t until four years after Zach passed away that Pam noticed she was having difficulty walking long distances, hills and had trouble getting up the stairs. Her heart function was deteriorating.
In December 2023, Pam became very ill, and her doctors determined that after 30 years of living with her heart condition, it was now damaging her liver. Her medical team told her she needed a heart transplant and that her liver would heal once she received a new heart.
“Have faith in your medical team. They will give you more confidence and security in the process. Have patience because hopefully they will find the perfect match for you.” –Pam
After a few months of testing, Pam was placed on the national transplant waiting list on July 9, 2024. Her medical team told her she could be waiting for a few months, a year or even longer for a transplant. She was in end-stage heart failure and remembers feeling uncertain about when and if she would get her gift of life.
Her doctors explained the factors that would determine whether a heart would be a good match. For example, Pam learned that she had to match a donor’s size and stature because heart sizes vary. Miraculously within a week of being on the waiting list, Pam received “the call” that a heart was available for her at 7 a.m. on July 16, 2024.
Pam’s Heart Transplant: A Miraculous Second Chance at Life
Pam was completely shocked and thankful for how quickly she got the call. Pam drove the two hours to Johns Hopkins Hospital with her partner, Mike. By 11 p.m. that night, Pam went into surgery. Her heart transplant was successfully completed around 5 a.m. July 17, 2024.
Since receiving her gift of life, Pam feels significantly better and is happy she can now walk uphill. She missed being able to go to the beach and enjoy walks with Mike. He helped her throughout her transplant journey and continues to take her to scenic places so she can walk and enjoy more time by the ocean. Assateague Island is close to home for Pam and was the first beach she and Mike walked on together after her transplant. Since then, they have traveled to Aruba and the Grand Cayman Islands and will be going to Antigua at the end of February. Pam looks forward to more beach trips!
Honoring Her Donor and Becoming a Donate Life Ambassador with Infinite Legacy
Pam prays every day for her donor and her donor's family, thanking them for her gift of life. She even wrote a letter to her donor's family to share her appreciation and hopes to hear from them one day. To honor her donor, she is proactive with her doctor's visits, eats clean and exercises to stay healthy. Pam is dedicated to doing everything she can to take care of the beautiful gift she received.
After receiving her transplant, Pam became a Donate Life Ambassador with Infinite Legacy and honored Zach and her donor at Infinite Legacy’s Annual Donate Life Family Fun Run. Pam continues to give back and volunteers at educational events to share her story and Zach’s legacy.
Register to Save Lives Like Pam and Leave a Legacy Like Zach
By educating others about the importance of donation and transplantation, Pam’s friends and family have registered as organ, eye and tissue donors in her and Zach’s honor. You, too, have the power to save lives by registering. Get the facts and see how you can get involved in the Donate Life community today!