Little girl who got a visit from Drake, and then a heart transplant, speaks out

Rob Elgas Image
Thursday, September 20, 2018
Heart transplant recipient Sofia Sanchez thanks her supporters
The 11-year-old girl who received a heart transplant and got to meet Drake told her supporters Thursday that she is grateful for all of their help.

CHICAGO, Illinios -- It was just a month ago when 11-year-old Sofia Sanchez burst onto the social media scene. While waiting for a new heart, she made a wish to see the rap star Drake. He granted that wish and, within a week, she got something even more important -- a new heart.

Now she's speaking publicly for the first time.

While waiting for a new heart, Sofia Sanchez made a wish to see the rap star Drake. He granted that wish and, within a week, she got something even more important- a new heart.

Sofia is on a fast track to getting home. She's at the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago, the second phase of her recovery after successful heart transplant surgery.

RELATED: 11-year-old heart transplant recipient visited by rapper Drake, discharged from hospital

Sofia spoke publicly for the first time about her new heart and her new friend Drake when she returned to Lurie Children's Hospital Wednesday.

RELATED: Girl, 11, visited by rapper Drake at Lurie hospital gets heart transplant

It was there where Sofia waited for her new heart. By now, you probably know it was also where Sofia met Drake.

Drake and Sofia are friends now. She's even got his cell phone number and they text regularly. Sofia might just be Drake's BAE.

RELATED: Drake visits young heart patient in Chicago after she posts 'Kiki Challenge' video

Doctors are blown away by Sofia's resilience. But there are daily reminders her fight is far from over. Sofia takes 18 pills in the morning and many more throughout the day. Her mom has been her rock, there when she needed her most.

Sofia's mom says, over and over, Sofia's heart condition was misdiagnosed as asthma. She credits doctors at Lurie Children's Hospital for finally getting it right.

As for Drake, Sofia says he plans to bring her on stage one day to sing with her. But she's not giving up that cell number -- not to friends, not to grandma, and certainly not to you and me.