Thanks to the Phoenix Mercury, heart recipient and Donate Life Arizona volunteer Evelyn Strope enjoyed a night of special recognition with the team she loves.

At the age of 14, Strope was diagnosed with ventricular septal defect, a medical condition that creates a hole in the wall of the heart, dividing the left and right ventricles. By the time she was 20, she had undergone two open heart surgeries to try to fix the problem.

It was during her second operation that Strope was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Her only option to live depended on a lifesaving heart transplant. Due to her worsening condition, Strope, who loved playing basketball and dreamt of joining the WNBA, was not able to play the sport she so deeply loved.

Her health continued to decline, and after spending nearly nine months in the hospital and being on heart medication for 10 years, Strope, now 30, was added to the national transplant waiting list. Nearly two years later, she received the news she had hoped for: a heart was available for her. Since receiving her lifesaving transplant, Strope has been able to go on cruises, visit national parks and play basketball again. Strope has also had the opportunity to meet the family of her donor, a 15-year-old girl named Amber.

“She means the world to me. She gave me a second chance at life that I wouldn’t have had otherwise; she’s given me the opportunity to fulfill my dreams that I wouldn’t have been able to do,” says Strope.

A Game to Remember

On Friday, July 14, the Phoenix Mercury honored Strope and Donate Life Arizona with a night to remember. The hometown female basketball team invited Strope to the court to watch the team warm up for their game against the Minnesota Lynx, one of their fiercest rivals. She was wearing the jersey the Phoenix Mercury made just for her, with number eight representing the number of lives someone can potentially save through organ donation.

While waiting for the game to start, fans watched the Donate Life Arizona message broadcasted on the many screens around the arena, encouraging them to register to give the gift of life.

The excitement culminated for Strope when the Phoenix Mercury presented her with a ball signed by the whole team during half time. Thanks to her lifesaving transplant she can cheer on the Phoenix Mercury and enjoy more time with her loved ones.

Partnership to Save Lives

All season Donate Life Arizona has been scoring slam dunks for donation with the Phoenix Mercury WNBA team! The Phoenix Mercury chose Donate Life Arizona to attend games to educate and register basketball fans as organ and tissue donors this summer. Thanks to the enthusiasm and generosity of X-Factor Mercury fans and game attendees, Donate Life Arizona has received 80 new registrations so far! These new registered donors have the power to save more than 600 lives through organ donation and heal up to 4,000 more through tissue donation.

Attend upcoming games on Aug. 12 and Aug. 24 to register or reaffirm your commitment to donation and get some free Donate Life swag and a chance to win a signed photo of a Mercury team member!