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Watch the moment this boy learns he's finally getting a new heart

Ari learns he's getting a new heart

BOSTON — A 5-year-old boy is recovering after doctors successfully performed a heart transplant, something he's been waiting on for nearly a year.

When Erica Stritch Schultz was just 18 weeks pregnant, doctors diagnosed her baby with critical aortic stenosis and evolving hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Ari underwent two successful heart surgeries before he was even born.

He is now 5 years old and has spent 211 days waiting for a new heart. According to his website, Echo of Hope, Ari spent months living at Boston Children’s Hospital suffering from congestive heart failure.

On Friday, Ari finally got good news: a new heart was available for him. His parents recorded the moment they told Ari and shared it to his Facebook page.

211 days ago Ari was officially listed for a heart transplant. Today the counting stops. If praying is what you do, now is the time, for Ari, and for Ari's donor and family. We've been thinking about them, their sacrifice, their sorrow, and their immense kindness non stop. And will every day for the rest of our lives. Now, for Ari, it's go time.

Posted by Ari "Danger" Schultz on Friday, March 3, 2017

“Are they going to find a good spot to put it?” Ari asked his parents in the video.

Ari, an avid sports fan, was thrilled that he might be able to attend a Red Socks game this season.

Ari learns he's getting a new heart

His parents are asking for prayers.

“If praying is what you do, now is the time, for Ari, and for Ari’s donor and family. We’ve been thinking about them, their sacrifice, their sorrow and their immense kindness nonstop. And will every day for the rest of our lives,” his family wrote on Facebook.

According to an update shared early Saturday morning, Ari’s surgery was a success and he is now recovering.

“His chest is still open and he will be paralyzed and sedated for days. He has a long road ahead of him but today begins the journey and now we take it one day at a time,” the family wrote.

Ari's resting comfortably in the cardiac intensive care unit right now. Here's a quick update, answers to FAQs we've...

Posted by Ari "Danger" Schultz on Wednesday, March 8, 2017