Dream as if you will live forever,
live as if you will die tomorrow.

Kira Lynn Neumann, better known simply as Kira was born at Homestead Hospital in Homestead Florida, March 10, 1992. On April 4, 1992, exactly 3 weeks after birth, she received a second chance at life with a heart transplant due to a congenital heart defect known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. She received her second chance in life due to the professional expertise of Dr Leonard Baily and his medical staff at Loma Linda University Medical Center located in Loma Linda California. Even though the chances of survival of this procedure are over 80 percent, less than 7 of the 300 or so infant heart transplant patients performed thus far at Loma Linda have had as few complications and rejection episodes as Kira. This statistic placed Kira at the top 1 percent in success stories for the first 11 years of her life.

In March of 2003, Kira's condition took a turn for the worse when she was diagnosed with Transplant Coronary Artery Disease, a condition that required a second heart transplant. She received this transplant in July of 2003 at the UCLA Medical Center in West Los Angeles, CA.

For the next about two years, multiple heart attacks and rejection episodes made a THIRD heart transplant necessary, which she received in May of 2005, also at the UCLA Medical Center.

Between February of 2006 and December 2007, Kira continued to struggle with cardiac organ rejection. She chose to live life to the fullest and enjoy what ever time she had left with her family, friends and multiple life interests. For a short time it looked as if Kira's, "live life without concern" attitude brought healing to her heart as well as to those around her.

On March 10th, 2008, Kira's 16th birthday, her heart gave out and she passed away. She has left us with a huge legacy of love and inspiration that continues to touch many lives all over the world. She is missed deeply by all who knew her or who have known her story. Her most favorite inspirational saying by James Dean can be viewed on her head stone. "Dream as if you will live forever, live as if you will die tomorrow."