Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher
Meet a local 2-year-old who got a new heart for Christmas
Reading time: 3 minutes
Sponsored
In January of 2025, Sawyer and Darby Gowen came from Munford, to Children’s of Alabama after their son S.J. wasn’t recovering from a tough case of COVID-19.
One thing led to another—a heart attack and moving into the Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham—but the Gowen family eventually saw the light at the end of the tunnel and received the best Christmas present ever: A new heart for S.J.!
We sat down with Darby to hear the full story, how she’s forever thankful for the team at Children’s for saving her son’s life. Keep reading for inspiration in S.J.’s story and how Children’s gives hope to thousands of kids across Alabama.
Meet the Gowen family
Last year, Sawyer John, or S.J., was battling COVID-19, and despite multiple doctor visits, he was not getting better.
His parents took him to Children’s of Alabama, where the doctors suspected S.J. had developed Kawasaki disease, a rare inflammatory response that can affect young children. As his diagnostic test concluded, he went into cardiac arrest for over an hour.
Doctors revived him and confirmed the diagnosis, but S.J. needed to stay at the hospital a little longer while he awaited a transplant.
In April 2025, the Gowens checked into Birmingham’s Ronald McDonald House and called it home away from home for eight months. They found hope at the end of 2025 and on Christmas Eve, S.J. finally got his heart transplant.
“Our faith has been the biggest thing getting us through these tough times. And getting along with other families who can relate and comfort each other.”
Darby Gowen
Now, one year after the family’s initial visit, S.J. and his new heart are thriving, and the Gowens are going home!
“We’re taking home patience, grace and compassion. Seeing SJ thrive, being home with his sister and my husband, and just being a family of four after he beat all the odds is going to be phenomenal.”
Darby Gowen
Children’s of Alabama Heart Center saves lives
February is American Heart Month, and Children’s of Alabama staff and volunteers make the most of it—lighting the outside of the building and bringing Valentine’s Day cards to kiddos.
The Pediatric & Congenital Heart Center of Alabama has over 300 staff members specially trained to care for patients with congenital and acquired cardiac conditions. Families of children who need specialized cardiovascular care can turn here for expert care, but also for hope.
While hearing the Gowen family’s story, you could tell how much this team meant to them and how they not only “saved S.J.’s life,” but gave the entire family encouragement when it felt like everything else was falling apart.
“Thank you to everyone at the Heart Center for saving his life. Without them, there’s no way he would be here right now.
When you lack hope, their team says, ‘We’ve seen a lot of things. Just keep on keeping on.’ We did for the longest time, and we’re finally going home.”
Darby Gowen
Find more ways to support Children’s of Alabama families during Heart Month.
Sponsored by:
