Heart valve transplantation is a life-saving surgical procedure in which a recipient’s damaged valve is replaced with a functioning donor valve. The valves aid the heart’s ability to pump blood through the body. Heart valves are often transplanted into children born with congenital heart valve defects. One of the benefits of this type of procedure is children grow into a donated valve, which is superior to a synthetic alternative. In order to facilitate this gift, the heart is recovered and valves are removed from the organ for transplantation. One heart valve donor can save or heal the lives of several recipients. Heart valves are only donated when the heart cannot be donated as a functioning organ for medical reasons.