Mother Who Donated Child's Organs Meets Babies Whose Lives Were Saved

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A mother's decision to donate her deceased daughter's organs saved the lives of two babies.

Now, as CBS2's Emily Smith reported Sunday, the families have all met for the first time in Manhattan.

From afar, 8-month-old Essence, or Essie, looks like any other happy, healthy child with doting parents.

But Essie hasn't had it so easy. Four months ago, she received a heart transplant thanks to a woman whose daughter lost her life after coming down with a fever.

"I am happy I was able to give two people their little babies back," said Patricia Almonte. "I don't have mine, but they have theirs."

Almonte's courageous decision to donate her daughter Veronica Grace's organs also saved a little boy's life.

Justin Ford suffered from liver cancer.

"I would really like to thank that little girl for what she did for my son," said mother LaToya Ford. "She brought my son back."

Essie's mother, Malaysia McCallister, said the day before the heart transplant doctors told her Essie couldn't hold on any longer and would be taken off of the donor list.

Then, what felt like a miracle happened for the family, Smith reported.

"She saved her life. I think about it every day," she said. "We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for that family."

Almonte said she plans to honor her daughter's life every year with a birthday party. She said the top two guests will always be Essie and Justin, and the best gift of all will be seeing them grow.

Baby Veronica also helped a third person. Her kidney went to a 68-year-old woman who CBS2 was told is now doing well.