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Hearts bursting, but heavy at Rosie's celebration (6 photos)

'Somewhere, there's a mom whose arms are empty,' says Samantha Audia of bittersweet celebration of gratitude for those who helped her family during health scare

Rosalie Audia and her family celebrated the tot's second chance at life by releasing 65 butterflies honouring the life that saved her.

“It’s definitely a mix of emotions that it’s such a great day for us, and such a hard day for somebody else,” said Samantha Audia, Rosie’s mom. “We definitely want to honour and remember what happened in order for her to be here.”

The Audia family and friends gathered at Couchiching Beach Park Saturday to thank everyone who had lent a hand and said a prayer while Samantha and Brian Audia grappled with the challenge of getting their now 16-month-old daughter a heart donor. (Read the story about Rosie's heart transplant here.)

“There’s just incredible gratitude for everything that has gone on in the last year and a half,” said Brian, adding, as a parent, he does and doesn’t understand what the donor family went through to reach the decision.

“I guess you can’t understand fully what somebody else is going through until you’ve gone through it yourself,” he said. “You empathize and you sympathize and you grieve with them because you know what had to happen for Rosie to get a heart.”

The two families have communicated a bit over Facebook and will be meeting in-person in August, through an event organized by the David Foster Foundation, said Samantha. 

When asked what they would say to the parents, the only response both Samantha and Brian could come up with on the spot was: "Thank you."

“That’s all you can say,” Brian said. “What else do you say?

“They made a selfless decision in the worst moment of their lives,” he said. “It wasn’t a requirement. They didn’t have to say yes, but they did. I don’t even pretend to know what kind of strength of character it takes to do that.”

Besides thank you, said Samantha, “we can promise to take care of their baby’s heart and teach Rosie to take care of it, too. And recognize the importance and magnitude of what she’s been given.”

When you’re waiting for a transplant, you don’t know what you’re waiting for: that phone call with good news or for your child to pass away before an organ becomes available, she said.

Since Rosie recieved her new heart, Samantha said she was constantly wondering where that mom is and what she’s doing right now.

“I thought about her even before I knew who she was,” she said. “What we’ve gone through is the hardest situation we’ve gone through, but she’s here, she’s doing great.

“But just thinking that I hold Rosie and can rock her to sleep ... somewhere there’s a mom whose arms are empty," added Samantha. “It really makes us stop and not take our kids for granted.”

While waiting for the donor, Samantha stayed in Toronto with Rosie and Brian stayed in Orillia with their two older kids: Gia, 7, and Waylon, 3.

“So many (friends and family) poured their lives into us,” said Brian. “My cousin started two food trains, organizing people just to bring us food. My mom was around whenever we needed her.

“So many people gave their money and their time,” he added. “When you’re in that situation, you’re constantly in hyper drive. You don’t get to sit around and socialize. Today is the day to do that.”

But the celebrations are tinged with worry, said Samantha.

“One thing people don’t realize is that a transplant is not a cure,” she said. “I think all transplants, hearts for sure, eventually fail. Whether it’s 20 or 30 years down the line, she will need a new heart again.

"There’s a lot of fear of knowing some day we will have to do this again. Hopefully, technology will have come up with an alternative by then.”

Rosie is also on medication to prevent rejection, and all of that comes with a lot of side effects, explained Samantha.

“It suppresses her immune system so she’s more prone to get sick,” she noted. “She’s more prone to cancer: 40% of children who have heart transplants battle cancer at some point.”

But Samantha said she tries not to let the fear of the unknown take camp in her heart.

“A year ago right now, we didn’t know and didn’t think we were even going to get here,” she said.

Friends and family who gathered at the park had high hopes and prayers for Rosie’s continued health.

“Today, she has the sweetest smile and the brightest eyes,” said Susanna Audia, Rosie’s paternal aunt. “We’re grateful we have Rosie with us, doing as well as she is.”

It’s a phenomenal story, said family friend Mandy McIntosh.

“There’s definitely a duality of emotions here,” said the Port Sydney resident. “Anyone with children would have their heart open up to Rosie and her family, but also feel sad for the donor family.”

It’s taught her, said McIntosh, how important organ donation is.

“When tragedy like that happens with child loss,” she said, “there’s some peace in knowing a part of their child lives in someone else.”