Buzz
Organ transplants have been a lifesaver for many, yet some recipients report experiencing more than just a functional organ. The concept of 'cellular memory'—the idea that organs retain the memories and traits of their original owners—has gained attention. Though still a controversial topic, growing evidence suggests this phenomenon might hold some truth. Here are 10 intriguing cases.
10. Claire Sylvia Experiences Unusual Cravings and Dreams in New England
Claire Sylvia, a 47-year-old woman, became the first person in New England to undergo a heart and lung transplant, which not only saved her life but also introduced her to unexpected changes. She believes she inherited some of her donor’s preferences, as if his memories were embedded in the organs and now influence her behavior.
After her surgery, Claire shocked herself by expressing a sudden craving for beer, something she had never enjoyed before. In the following days, she developed a taste for foods she previously disliked or had never tried, including green peppers, Snickers bars, and even McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets—a meal she had never desired before.
Claire also started having peculiar dreams featuring a slender young man she believed was named Tim. The name 'Tim L' repeatedly came to her mind during these dreams. After searching through obituaries from the days surrounding her transplant, she discovered Timothy Lamirande.
Timothy Lamirande was 18 years old when he tragically died in a motorcycle accident on the same day as Claire’s transplant. He had been returning home from a nearby McDonald’s, and a bag of Chicken McNuggets was found in his jacket pocket when doctors tried to save his life.
Claire eventually located Tim’s family, whom she had never met, and they confirmed that her newfound cravings—beer included—aligned perfectly with Tim’s favorite foods. She has maintained a close relationship with Tim’s family ever since.
9. Jamie Sherman Wakes Up After Transplant Overwhelmed by Rage and Anger in Tucson, Arizona
By the age of 24, Jamie Sherman had already endured multiple heart surgeries before receiving a heart transplant. Born with a congenital heart defect, she woke up after the successful operation overwhelmed by intense anger and an inexplicable urge to fight. Additionally, she developed a sudden craving for Mexican food, particularly cheese enchiladas, which she had never desired before.
Six months after the transplant, Jamie met the family of her donor, Scott Phillips, a 29-year-old man. She shared her newfound love for Mexican cuisine, especially cheese enchiladas, and learned that Scott had a deep fondness for Mexican food, with cheese enchiladas being his favorite.
Jamie discovered that Scott had died after being struck in the head during a bar fight, resulting in severe brain trauma. She connected this to her sudden feelings of anger, theorizing that Scott’s emotions in his final moments—rage and fury—were imprinted in his heart and transferred to her during the transplant.
8. Sonny Graham Takes His Own Life in the Same Manner as His Donor in Vidalia, Georgia
In 2008, 69-year-old Sonny Graham tragically ended his life by shooting himself in the throat. He had received a heart transplant in 1995 from Tommy Cottle, who had died in the same manner. Adding to the strangeness, Sonny had married Cottle’s widow, Cheryl, in 2004 after a years-long relationship.
Sonny, who had never shown any signs of such dark behavior before, contacted Cheryl years after his transplant to thank her. Despite their nearly 30-year age difference, they quickly fell in love after meeting. Friends described Sonny as a kind and generous man, always willing to help others. The couple even shared their story at donor-recipient events and fundraisers, appearing content and happy together.
7. Amy Tippins Gains Unexpected Abilities in Atlanta, Georgia
After her liver transplant in 1993, 17-year-old Amy Tippins not only developed a sudden love for hamburgers but also a strong sense of moral responsibility and community engagement.
The most surprising change, however, was her newfound skills. She found herself inexplicably drawn to hardware stores and discovered she had a knack for complex DIY projects, which she could execute with ease.
Amy had been diagnosed with severe liver disease, necessitating a transplant. She later met the family of her donor, Mike James, a former U.S. Marshal. They revealed that hamburgers were among his favorite foods and that he had a passion for hands-on projects, having completed several home renovations before his passing. His family also shared that his life’s mission was to help and protect others.
Amy is convinced that the liver transplant transferred some of Mike’s personality traits, sense of duty, and even his practical skills to her.
6. Michael Hagan Began Crying During Movies in Grand Rapids, Michigan
While many doctors dismiss the idea of donor recipients adopting traits from their donors, Dr. Michael Hagan, an ER physician, firmly believes it’s possible. After contracting hepatitis C at work, he underwent a liver transplant in 1999 and now considers himself living proof. “I believe it’s real,” he stated, despite disagreement from his peers.
Following his recovery, Dr. Hagan experienced unusual cravings for foods like avocados and barbeque, which he had rarely eaten before. He started consuming avocados daily and developed a newfound love for barbeque. However, the changes weren’t limited to his dietary preferences.
As an ER physician, Dr. Hagan was accustomed to staying composed, even in high-pressure or traumatic situations. Emergency rooms are often filled with intense emotions as patients and their loved ones face illness and loss. After his transplant, however, Dr. Hagan found himself becoming more emotional, often moved to tears by movies—a stark contrast to his previous demeanor.
While donor identities are typically confidential, Dr. Hagan eventually learned that his donor was Shamika Jones, a 21-year-old mother who had been tragically murdered. He attended her trial and befriended her family, discovering that Shamika adored avocados and barbeque and was known for her emotional nature.
5. William Sheridan Transforms into an ‘Art Genius’ in New York
William Sheridan initially took up drawing as a distraction while awaiting a heart donor, though he had little natural talent. After his 2006 surgery, he noticed an extraordinary improvement in his artistic abilities, as if his skills had multiplied overnight.
After meeting the family of his heart donor, 24-year-old Keith Neville, as part of a donor awareness campaign, William learned that Keith had been a passionate and talented artist. William also felt he had become more compassionate and affectionate, qualities he believed were influenced by Keith.
William’s case is among many studied by Professor Gary Schwartz from the University of Arizona. Schwartz notes that increasing evidence supports the idea that organs retain cellular memories, suggesting this phenomenon may occur throughout the body.
4. Bill Wohl Overwhelmed by Tears from an Unfamiliar Song in Arizona
Bill Wohl, a dedicated business executive, had little interest in outdoor activities, preferring the urban landscape over nature. This changed in 2000 after he survived a severe heart attack and received a life-saving heart transplant.
Initially, Bill noticed nothing unusual. However, one day, a song by British singer Sade played on the radio, bringing him to tears despite never having heard it before.
As Bill recovered from his transplant, he felt an increasing desire to spend time outdoors. He took up activities like cycling and kayaking, which he had never shown interest in before. This newfound passion might have stemmed from a deeper appreciation for life after his near-death experience.
When Bill met the family of his donor, he learned that the heart had come from Michael Brady, a Hollywood stuntman. Curious, Bill asked if Michael had been a fan of Sade, and the family confirmed that she was one of his favorite artists.
Bill, realizing he might have inherited more than just Michael’s heart, described the revelation as “really, really freaky.”
3. David Waters Experiences Sudden Cravings for Burger Rings in New South Wales, Australia
At 24, David Waters was diagnosed with stiffening heart ventricles and given only months to live. In 2006, he received a new heart from 17-year-old Kaden Delaney, who had been on life support after a car accident. Following Kaden’s passing, his parents, Greg and Shelley Delaney, honored his wishes by donating his organs.
Over the next two years, Greg and Shelley sought to connect with the recipients of Kaden’s organs. When they finally spoke to David, they learned something fascinating: since his life-saving surgery, David had developed an inexplicable craving for Burger Rings, a corn-based snack. He told them it was all he wanted to eat post-surgery.
Kaden’s parents revealed that Burger Rings had been one of their son’s favorite snacks. David, who had no interest in the snack before the transplant, believes he inherited this preference from Kaden.
2. Shaun Bird Discovers a Passion for Cooking in Hull, England
Shaun Bird, diagnosed with small vessel disease, was told he might not live beyond five years. As his health declined, his skin turned grey, and his heart function dropped to just 20 percent (compared to the normal 60-70 percent). One night, he received an unexpected call: a donor heart was available. The next day, he underwent surgery and was given a second chance at life.
Shaun had heard stories of recipients adopting traits or skills from their donors, so he wasn’t entirely shocked when he developed a sudden passion for cooking. Despite having no prior interest or skill in the kitchen, he found himself becoming a skilled chef after the transplant.
Shaun feels immense gratitude toward his donor and their family. He also believes his newfound love for cooking might be a shared trait with his donor.
1. French Actress Experiences Overwhelming Déjà Vu in Paris
By the time Charlotte Valandrey needed a heart transplant in 2003, the French actress had already faced and overcome numerous life challenges.
At just 17 in 1985, with a bright career ahead, Charlotte was diagnosed as HIV-positive. She kept it secret until 1989, when her revelation abruptly derailed her promising career. In her autobiography, Love in the Blood, she claimed to have contracted the disease from a French rock star, though she never revealed his identity.
In her book, Charlotte also detailed the aftermath of her heart transplant. She described recurring nightmares of a car crash, where blinding headlights and rain overwhelmed her. Additionally, her tastes shifted dramatically, including a newfound appreciation for wine, which she had previously disliked.
During her visit to India, she experienced a profound sense of déjà vu at every turn, even remembering specifics of places she had never visited. While her doctors dismissed these as typical post-procedure occurrences, she maintained in her book that these unfamiliar emotions and recollections were linked to her donor.
