Back with a new heart: Waukee student returns after 2 years at Mayo Clinic amid heart failure
Ava Weitl returned to Eason Elementary in Waukee on Wednesday after spending nearly two years at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota due to heart failure, receiving a warm welcome from staff and more.
The school celebrated Ava's return with a "clapout," a tradition for fifth graders on their last day in the building.
Ava, now 13, had to stop physically attending school just weeks after starting fifth grade due to her medical condition. She now has a new heart and is expected to start seventh grade this school year back in Waukee.
Ava's father, Brad Weitl, expressed gratitude for the support from Waukee schools, highlighting the dedication of Ava's teachers during her heart transplant.
"We had two teachers the night of the transplant — you don't see many teachers that do this — they came up and they were up there all night. They didn't go back to the hotel, they were up there 15 hours with us," he said. "And that tells you how supportive Waukee schools is."
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