8-year-old girl recovering after triple organ transplant

PITTSBURGH — An 8-year-old girl is in recovery after successfully undergoing a triple organ transplant Wednesday morning.

Kyree Beachem of Ellwood City went into surgery overnight Tuesday. The procedure then lasted about 10 hours.

“I’m waiting for a liver, small bowel and pancreas,” Kyree told Channel 11 News this past summer.

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Kyree's mother told Channel 11's Carly Flynn Morgan the surgery went well but there is a long road to recovery ahead.

Kyree will be under anesthesia for several days and is expected to stay at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh for several months as her health is monitored.

Christian Beck, a local musician and family friend of the Beachems, said Kyree is in very good condition.

"She's sleeping right now and recovering, but her color already looks great - better than before."

Beck and Kyree met four months ago during a radio event where he sang to her. He said meeting her has had an impact on his life he’d never imagined.

“She's changed my life in ways that I never thought anybody could. I'm an organ donor now," Beck said.

Nan Beachem said in July her daughter’s condition was worsening and she was moved up higher on the waiting list.

“Within the past several months, things have greatly changed for Kyree, and it’s become a lot more desperate than it had been,” Beachem said.

Earlier this year, Channel 11 covered the story of another young child who desperately needed a medical procedure.

Two-year-old Lucas Goeller was in dire need of a liver, small bowel and pancreas. Lucas’ mother, Jess Goeller, discovered Kyree’s story during her son’s wait for a transplant.

For Jess Goeller, being able to see both Kyree and Lucas receive transplants this year is something she’ll be thankful for.

"I just started thanking God because all odds were stacked against my son and her,” Goeller said. “But God is good and he provided the miracle thanks to everybody's prayers again."

If you want to follow Kyree's journey step-by-step, LIKE her page on Facebook.

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