Emotional videos show moment boy learns he’ll receive heart transplant

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) – A 13-year-old Burlington boy born with a heart muscle disease had a whirlwind week after learning he would receive a new heart.

Albert Jeffries IV’s mother, Tina Turner, learned Wednesday her son would get a new heart.

Turner is overcome with emotion in a video that captures the moment she learned the news.

“Oh my God! Oh Jesus! You don’t understand this is wonderful! Jesus! Are you serious?” Turner said in the video.

Turner rushed to UNC Children’s Hospital where her son, know as “Alj,” would have heart transplant surgery that same day. Jeffries had been at the hospital for 99 days while waiting for a heart.

Another video captured the moment the 13-year-old learned he would receive a new heart.

“What’s going on? Do I have a heart? They got my heart?” Jeffries said.

It was obvious Jeffries was excited, confused and scared all at once.

The surgery was successful and Jeffries’ first words when he woke up were, “I feel like a new person.” Turner said it is still surreal.

“I just feel blessed. I just feel like God has stepped in and did his thing with my son,” Turner said.

Now someone else’s heart beats strong in Jeffries and his family is forever grateful.

A Facebook post published Thursday evening said “Alj continues to recover, in fact, he’s alert, awake and using his phone.”