Today we’d like to introduce you to Markeisha Hayward.
Hi Markeisha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
People often say where you start doesn’t determine where you’ll finish, and my life is proof of that.
I was born and raised in Compton, California, where resilience wasn’t a choice—it was a necessity. In 2009, as a mother of five, I made one of the biggest decisions of my life. I packed up everything I knew and moved to Tennessee in search of greater opportunities and a brighter future for my children. Looking back, that leap of faith became the foundation for the incredible journey that would unfold.
Over the years, I’ve been blessed to serve in many different roles. I worked in corrections, served at Middle Tennessee State University as a liaison for the Family and Consumer Sciences Department, became a Notary Public and Process Server, and later taught firearm safety as a USCCA, NRA, and certified instructor for the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Although my careers changed over time, one thing remained constant—I have always had a heart for helping people.
Before receiving my heart transplant, I loved exploring the world with my children, family, and friends. Some of my most memorable adventures included visiting Dubai and seeing the Burj Khalifa, traveling to Cuba eating the gigantic avocados, Hawaii experiencing a lau and seeing food cooked under banana leaves. Visiting Puerto Rico kissing and playing with dolphins .Jamaica sunbathing with my Mother and even enjoying a turkey sandwich in Turkey.
I cherished hiking to waterfalls with my children, whitewater rafting, snorkeling, and spending time surrounded by nature.
At that time, I never imagined that my greatest journey would become the fight for my own life.
However, in what felt like the blink of an eye, my life changed forever.
In 2021, I experienced one of the greatest losses of my life when my father, a World War II veteran who served during the Invasion of Normandy, passed away. While grieving that loss, I suffered a massive heart attack (STEMI), beginning a long and difficult journey that would eventually lead to receiving the greatest gift imaginable—a life-saving heart transplant.
May 31, 2024 I celebrated my birthday.
On June 1, 2024, I received the very anticipated phone call I had been praying for. My donated heart had been found and I had to get to the hospital within a couple hours.
On June 2, 2024, I received a new heart and had my internal defibrillator and pacemaker removed.
That day marked not only the beginning of a new chapter, but the beginning of a second chance at life.
None of that would have been possible without the incredible generosity of my donor and their family. During one of the most heartbreaking moments of their lives, they made the selfless decision to give others the gift of life. Because of their love and compassion, I am here today. There are no words that could ever fully express the gratitude I carry for my donor and their family.
Every heartbeat is a reminder of their extraordinary gift, and I pray they know that their loved one’s legacy continues through me every single day.
The woman who had spent years caring for others suddenly found herself relying on others for strength.
Recovery was far more difficult than I ever imagined.
I had to learn how to walk again.
I had to learn how to feed myself again.
I had to learn how to cook again.
For months I relied on a wheelchair, then a walker, before I slowly regained my independence. I still heal with chronic anxiety. My hair fell out, and even today I continue to experience medication intolerances that remind me daily that transplantation is not a cure—it’s a lifelong journey. Due to the life saving medications. I now have CKD stage 3b, my bone marrow isn’t functioning correctly and my blood cells has plummeted.However through all of this. I am happy to have been given a second chance.
One of my greatest lessons came from something I used to say all the time:
“I’ll sleep when I’m dead.”
The reality is…I came far too close.
That experience forever changed my perspective. I learned that rest is not a luxury—it’s essential. We cannot plug ourselves into a wall or replace our batteries. Our bodies need care, grace, and time to heal. I finally understood that caring for myself wasn’t selfish—it was necessary.
Receiving my donor’s heart changed far more than my health.
It changed my perspective.
It changed my priorities.
It changed my purpose.
I realized that surviving wasn’t enough.
We are given life to truly live it, to love others, and to use our experiences to bring hope to those who need it most.
That realization inspired me to found HEAL AND GROW NASHVILLE, a nonprofit organization created to support transplant recipients, individuals waiting for a transplant, living donors, caregivers, family members, friends, and supporters. Our mission is to provide a compassionate, judgment-free community where people can find encouragement, education, meaningful connections, and hope throughout every stage of the transplant journey.
My prayer is simple:
That no one ever has to walk this journey alone.
My mission has continued to grow beyond support groups. Today, I proudly serve as a Donate Life Ambassador, advocating for organ donation and educating others about the incredible impact one selfless decision can have. Organ donation doesn’t just save one life—it transforms entire families, gives children their parents back, grandparents more time with their grandchildren, and people like me the opportunity to continue making a difference in the world.
Since receiving my transplant, I’ve been blessed with moments I once feared I would never experience. I’ve celebrated birthdays I wasn’t sure I would see. I’ve welcomed my first grandchild. I’ve created memories with my children that I once worried would only exist in my dreams. Every ordinary day has become extraordinary because I know what it’s like to wonder if tomorrow will ever come.
Today, my mission is bigger than my own story.
I advocate for organ donation, encourage others to care for their hearts and overall well-being, and remind people that every day is a precious gift. I continue to fight the good fight, even through ongoing health challenges and medication intolerances, choosing gratitude and hope each day.
I am deeply grateful to everyone who has walked alongside me throughout this journey. Every prayer, encouraging word, visit, phone call, text message, and act of kindness reminded me that I was never alone. Those moments of love carried me through some of the darkest days of my life, and I will never forget the people who stood beside me.
A very special thank you to my incredible Mother, Pops, my five Amazing Children,, and my eldest Brother for your unwavering love, endless encouragement, constant prayers, and strength. Thank you for standing beside me through every setback, celebrating every victory, and believing in me even on the days I struggled to believe in myself. I love each of you more than words could ever express, and I will be forever grateful for your presence in my life.
If my journey teaches anything, I hope it reminds people that no matter what challenges they face, healing is possible, hope is real, and every second chance is an opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s life.
My donor gave me the gift of life.
The greatest way I know to honor that gift is by living a life of purpose, serving others with compassion, and helping people heal, grow, and never lose hope.
Every heartbeat I have today is someone else’s legacy. My promise is to make every heartbeat count.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like many people, my journey has been filled with obstacles that have shaped who I am today. One of the biggest challenges I faced was moving from California to Tennessee as a single mother of five. Starting over in a new state meant leaving behind everything familiar, building a new support system, and creating opportunities for my children through determination, perseverance, and faith.
The greatest challenge of my life came when I suffered a massive heart attack that ultimately led to a life-saving heart transplant. In an instant, my world changed. I went from being the person everyone depended on to someone who had to depend on others. Accepting help wasn’t easy. There were moments of fear, uncertainty, physical pain, emotional exhaustion, and wondering what life would look like moving forward. Recovery tested my patience, my strength, my faith, and my perspective in ways I never imagined.
My recovery wasn’t just about healing from surgery—it was about learning how to live again. I had to learn how to walk again. I relied on a wheelchair and later a walker for quite some time before I regained my strength. I had to relearn everyday tasks that most people take for granted, including feeding myself and cooking. Losing my independence was one of the most humbling experiences of my life.
My hair fell out, and even today I continue to experience medication intolerances that require ongoing adjustments and perseverance. Recovery didn’t end when I left the hospital—it continues every day. Yet each morning I wake up grateful for the gift of life and determined to use that gift to make a difference.
There were days when simply standing, taking a few steps, or preparing a meal felt like major accomplishments. Those small victories reminded me that healing isn’t measured by giant leaps but by the courage to keep moving forward one step at a time. Looking back, I now understand that some of life’s greatest victories happen quietly, in the moments when you simply refuse to give up.
One of the hardest lessons I had to learn was that it’s okay to prioritize my own health. For years, I poured so much into caring for everyone else that I often neglected myself. I used to say, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” Looking back now, those words carry a completely different meaning because I came far closer to that reality than I ever imagined.
Today, I believe something very different.
We cannot plug ourselves into an outlet or simply replace our batteries when we run out of energy. Our minds and bodies were designed to rest. Sleep and restoration are not luxuries—they are necessities. If we want to continue showing up for the people we love and the work we’re called to do, we must first take care of ourselves. We must make time to rest our minds, restore our bodies, and protect our health.
My transplant forever changed the way I view life. It taught me that every day is a gift and every moment matters. I no longer measure success by how busy I am. Instead, I measure it by the lives I touch, the love I share, and the difference I make.
Starting HEAL AND GROW NASHVILLE has brought its own challenges. Building a nonprofit from the ground up requires vision, dedication, persistence, patience, and unwavering faith. There are days when progress feels slow, but I remind myself that every meaningful mission begins with a single step. Every person we encourage, every connection we create, every support group we host, and every life we touch reminds me exactly why this work matters.
Despite everything I’ve endured, I choose hope. I choose gratitude. I choose joy. I choose to keep moving forward. I will continue to fight the good fight, remain as positive as possible, and use my story to encourage others who may be facing challenges of their own. If my journey inspires even one person to keep believing, keep fighting, prioritize their health, or register as an organ donor, then every obstacle I’ve overcome has served a greater purpose.
Through every obstacle, I have discovered that challenges don’t define us—they prepare us. My experiences have strengthened my faith, deepened my compassion, and revealed a purpose I never imagined. Today, I don’t see my scars as something to hide. I see them as reminders of God’s grace, the extraordinary generosity of my donor and their family, the unwavering love of my mother, my children, my family, my friends, my medical team, and the countless people who prayed for and supported me throughout my journey.
My dear donor gave me the gift of life, but my journey taught me the value of living it well. Every challenge I’ve overcome reminds me that life is precious, healing is possible, hope is real, and every new day is an opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s life. My purpose now is to honor that incredible gift by helping others heal, grow, and discover that even after life’s greatest storms, hope is still possible.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
People often ask what I do, and my answer is simple: I help people find hope.
I am the founder and Executive Director of HEAL AND GROW NASHVILLE, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to support transplant recipients, those waiting for a transplant, living donors, caregivers, families, and supporters. We provide a safe, welcoming place where people can share their stories, learn from one another, and realize they are never alone on their journey.
This mission is deeply personal to me. In June 2024, I received the incredible gift of a heart transplant. That gift gave me a second chance at life, but it also opened my eyes to how much emotional support, education, and community are needed before, during, and after transplantation. Instead of letting my experience end with my own recovery, I turned it into a purpose. That’s why I founded HEAL AND GROW NASHVILLE.
I’m also passionate about raising awareness for organ donation, encouraging more people to register as donors, and sharing my story to inspire hope. I’m writing a children’s book that helps young readers understand heart transplantation while teaching the importance of compassion and the lifesaving impact of organ donation.
What I’m most proud of isn’t just surviving a heart transplant—it’s what I’ve chosen to do with my second chance. I’m building something that will continue helping people long after my own story began. Every person who feels encouraged, every caregiver who feels supported, and every new organ donor registration represents another opportunity to change a life.
What sets me apart is authenticity. I don’t speak about transplantation from the outside looking in—I live it every day. I understand the fear, the uncertainty, the gratitude, and the hope because I’ve experienced each of them myself. That lived experience allows me to connect with people in a way that’s genuine and heartfelt.
My goal is simple: to leave people with more hope than they had before they met me. If HEAL AND GROW NASHVILLE can help even one person believe that healing is possible and that no one has to walk this journey alone, then every step of my own journey has been worth it.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
If there’s one thing my journey has taught me, it’s that tomorrow is never promised. We become so busy chasing deadlines, caring for everyone else, and checking off our to-do lists that we often forget to care for ourselves. I learned that lesson the hard way.
For years, I believed I could keep pushing through exhaustion. I often said, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” After surviving a massive heart attack and receiving a life-saving heart transplant, I realized just how close I came to those words becoming my reality. Today, I understand that rest is not a sign of weakness—it is an act of wisdom. We cannot plug ourselves into an outlet or replace our batteries when they run low. Our minds, bodies, and spirits need intentional time to rest, heal, and be restored. Taking care of ourselves allows us to continue caring for the people we love and the communities we serve.
I’ve also learned that asking for help doesn’t make you weak—it makes you human. Before my transplant, I was the one others leaned on. During my recovery, I had to learn how to receive the same love, care, and encouragement that I had spent years giving to everyone else. That experience humbled me and reminded me that none of us are meant to walk through life’s challenges alone.
Another lesson I’ve learned is that healing takes patience. Recovery isn’t always a straight path. Some days bring incredible progress, while other days require grace, perseverance, and faith. I had to celebrate the smallest victories—standing on my own, taking a few steps, preparing a meal, or simply making it through another day. Those moments taught me that healing isn’t measured by giant leaps but by the courage to keep moving forward one step at a time.
Perhaps the greatest lesson of all is the power of gratitude. Every sunrise, every hug from my children, every conversation with my mother, every laugh with family and friends, and every opportunity to serve others is a gift I no longer take for granted.
There are no words that could ever fully express the gratitude I feel for my donor and their family. In the midst of one family’s unimaginable loss, they made the selfless decision to give others the gift of life. Because of their extraordinary generosity, I have celebrated more birthdays, welcomed my first grandchild, founded HEAL AND GROW NASHVILLE, and continued serving others with a renewed sense of purpose. I carry that incredible gift with me every single day, and I hope my life reflects the love, compassion, and generosity that made my second chance possible. I strive to honor my donor’s legacy by living with purpose, serving others, advocating for organ donation, and never taking a single day for granted.
I have also learned that healing is never a journey we take alone. I am forever grateful to everyone who prayed for me, encouraged me, visited me, checked on me, and stood beside me throughout my recovery. Their kindness carried me through some of the darkest moments of my life. A special thank you to my amazing mother and my five children for their unwavering love, endless encouragement, patience, and strength. They believed in me when I struggled to believe in myself, and their love became one of my greatest sources of healing.
Founding HEAL AND GROW NASHVILLE has shown me that our greatest trials often become our greatest testimony. Sometimes the very thing that breaks us becomes the foundation from which we help others heal.
Today, my mission is to create a compassionate community where transplant recipients, those waiting for a transplant, living donors, caregivers, family members, and supporters know they are never alone.
If I could leave readers with one message, it would be this:
Don’t wait for a life-changing event to appreciate your life. Prioritize your health. Make time for rest. Tell the people you love that you love them. Choose kindness because everyone is fighting a battle you may never see. And if you have the opportunity, please consider registering as an organ donor. One selfless decision has the power to save lives, restore families, create new memories, and give someone else the opportunity to continue living their purpose—just as my donor did for me.
I truly believe that every scar tells a story, every challenge carries a lesson, and every second chance comes with a purpose. My donor gave me the gift of life. My purpose is to honor that gift by helping others heal, grow, and discover that even after life’s greatest storms, hope is always possible.
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