Everett, Wash.
Published: Sunday, March 9, 2008

A letter of thanks from the Bielser family

 "It's hard to imagine that almost a year has gone by since our son Karl received his heart transplant on St. Patrick's Day of 2007. We can never thank you all enough for the outpouring of your well wishes, prayers and for the gracious donations made toward Karl's medical fund!

"Karl is happy to be back playing basketball, and we know he is doing so well thanks to all the prayers, love and support from family, friends and our wonderful community. We have truly been blessed in receiving a strong and vivacious heart through organ donation, which has given Karl a second chance at life. We never could have imagined the outpouring of support that flowed in from everyone, and wish there were enough words to say 'Thank you!'

"We would like to express a special thanks to the donor family for the gift of life at such a difficult time, and hope that our prayers, along with yours, have helped give them strength.

"Thank you also to the wonderful staff at Children's Hospital in Seattle: Doctors Boucek, Stout, Law, Permut, Cohen, Lewin, Yung, Jefferies and Mazor; nurses Pam, Jason, Keli, and the rest of the Heart Center staff; Dr. Mark Colombo of the Everett Clinic, business partners the Marty Stanton and Karl Hedeen families, the Arlington Fire Department, Arlington AAU basketball family, Arlington Schools, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, and our wonderful family and friends.

"We love you and thanks again from the bottom of our hearts!"

-- John, Julie, Karl and Sevrena Bielser
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA