In an extraordinary act of compassion, a mother who donated her son's heart to save a stranger's life over a decade ago has now offered to pay for the recipient's vital medication after a health insurance change made it unaffordable.
A Bond Forged Through Loss and Life
Mary Cutter faced an unimaginable tragedy in 2012 when her only child, 24-year-old Christian, died suddenly. In her darkest hour at the hospital, she made the selfless decision to donate his organs. That decision saved the life of 11-year-old Payton Herres, who was suffering from a rare congenital heart disease called Ebstein's anomaly and was not expected to live to see her 12th birthday.
Christian's heart was transplanted into Payton the day after he passed away on 17 March 2012. For 13 years, Ms Cutter has found comfort knowing a part of her son lives on. "I'm the only one left," said the 65-year-old from Cincinnati, who has since also lost her husband and brother. "But you know, Payton's there with Christian."
The Fight to Afford a Beating Heart
Now 25 and working in payroll at a faith-based non-profit, Payton Herres has faced a new life-threatening challenge. Her health insurer, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, which is provided by her employer, stopped covering one of her crucial anti-rejection drugs, everolimus, earlier this year.
In February, the insurer informed Herres the drug was "no longer medically necessary," despite her doctors prescribing it to prevent organ rejection and protect against coronary artery disease, a major post-transplant risk. After campaigning, coverage was reinstated in mid-September, but with a devastating catch: her copayment more than doubled.
Her out-of-pocket cost soared to $350 for a 30-day supply, or $1,000 for 90 days, up from around $180 for 90 days. Earning $35,000 a year, this new cost is simply unaffordable. Anthem suggested using a mail-order service for lower costs, but Herres fears potential delivery delays with a life-sustaining drug.
"I'll Do Whatever I Can"
When Mary Cutter learned of Payton's struggle during their first-ever phone call, she immediately repeated a prior offer to cover the medication costs herself, even offering to deliver them. "I'll do whatever I can to keep hers and my son's heart going," Cutter told The Independent.
"When I saw she wanted to pay, it just broke me," said Herres. "It was one of the most beautiful and most wrong things I've ever experienced... she's already given the ultimate gift."
Currently, Herres bypasses her insurance entirely, using GoodRx coupons to pay $234.86 for a 90-day supply. However, this is an unreliable solution, as coupon prices can change or vanish without warning.
The two women share a profound connection, symbolised by a blue teddy bear sprinkled with stars that Herres gave to Cutter. When its right paw is squeezed, it plays the sound of Christian's heart beating in Payton's chest. "I let everybody listen to Christian's heart," Cutter said. "It brings tears to our eyes every time."
Herres continues to campaign for the FDA and drug manufacturer Novartis to approve everolimus for heart transplant patients, arguing they deserve the same access as liver and kidney recipients. Their story highlights the ongoing financial battles transplant survivors can face long after their life-saving surgery.
