11 years and heart transplant later, she's a normal little girl

The Community and Press Recorder | John Johnston
Photo: Asia Werner plays soccer at the Hopewell Elementary field in West Chester. In July, she won 11 medals at the Transplant Games of America. / The Enquirer/tony Jones

WEST CHESTER TWP. â€" She traveled to Grand Rapids, Mich., the last week of July expecting to compete in 10 events at the Transplant Games of America.

By the time it was over, 12-year-old Asia Werner had won 11 medals.

Yes, 11. Once members of Team Ohio saw how fast she was, they recruited her to run the 4 x 100 meter relay and the 4 x 400 meter relay. She and her teammates earned silver in both.

“It was really cool to go,” Asia said the other day, awaiting the start of her soccer practice.“The most common question was: What organ did you get?”

Asia’s answer: A heart.

Part of her story has been told before. She was on the front page of The Enquirer on Christmas Day 2000, two days after her heart transplant at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and three days after her first birthday.
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