It's Happening: Baylor's Heartbeat Brings Song of Renewal, Hope and Purpose
By Julie Perine on August 08, 2026
In February of 2025, I wrote about 2-year-old Baylor Waggamon, who awaited a heart transplant at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Baylor had a rare congenital heart defect and for the past several months, a mechanical heart pump sustained his life. His family knew the unthinkable had to happen before a toddler heart would be available for Baylor and would enable him to live his life outside hospital walls.
On May 6 of ‘25, he got that new heart after 4-year-old Liam Cash died from injuries sustained in a vehicle accident.
Fifteen months later, Baylor is doing well. Despite a broken leg last year, he runs around and plays like any other 3-year-old boy. He will soon receive his final infusion to suppress his immune system and will thereafter visit his care team regularly for checkups.
His parents, Jacob and Madison, are so thankful, and they will never forget the gift of life that Liam’s family so generously gave.
On Sunday, Aug. 2 – exactly two years since Baylor was transported to UPMC and remained until after his transplant – the Waggamon and Cash families came face-to-face through CORE (Center for Organ Recovery & Education).
“I wanted to meet the little boy who received Liam’s heart because, as his mom, I needed to know where a piece of my son was,” said Liam’s mom Ali. “I wanted to see him living, laughing, playing and being a little boy. Liam couldn’t stay here, but because of organ donation, another child got a second chance. That means everything to me.”
The families met at Hampton Inn in Charleston.
“The meeting was full of emotion. We weren’t just celebrating Baylor, but also Liam and his sacrifice for our son," Jacob said.
The families spent almost four hours together and formed a most special bond. Baylor, his mom and his dad met Ali and Liam’s older sisters, Arabella and Kateryna.
“We got to talk about the boys and how they are really like,” Jacob said.
The Cash family said Liam was very active, outgoing and sweet; characteristics he shares with Baylor.
“We talked about how they both would often – out of the blue – just say ‘I love you,’” Jacob said.
It was decided that the boys even looked alike.
Ali got to hear the heartbeat that was her son’s and is now Baylor’s.
“Hearing Liam’s heartbeat is something I don’t know if words can describe,” Ali said. “For a moment, time stood still. It was overwhelming and beautiful all at once. I cried because I recognized that sound. It was the same heartbeat I had listened to when Liam was growing inside me, the same heartbeat I heard at every doctor’s appointment, and the same heart I held close every day of his life. Hearing it beating strong in another little boy filled me with both heartbreak and gratitude.”
Madison and Jacob said they wanted Ali and her daughters to know they will from now on be a big part of their lives and that they are already planning to spend time together during the holidays.
“It’s a pretty strong friendship,” Jacob said. “I’d say not even a friendship, but more like family.”
Although meeting Baylor certainly didn’t replace her loss or make the grief disappear, Ali said it gave her peace.
“It reminded me that even in the darkest tragedy, Liam’s life continues to make a difference,” she said. “He saved lives, and getting to hug the child who carries his heart is a gift I will cherish forever.”
More than anything, Ali said she hopes Liam’s story encourages others to become organ donors.
“In the middle of the worst day of our lives, his gift became someone else’s miracle,” she said.
And if the story ended here, we would all be in awe of both courageous families and Ali’s incredible compassion, but what Ali shared with me makes the story even more amazing - and heart wrenching.
It was April 27, 2025, when Liam was fatally injured in a Beckley car accident, very close to the home of Liam’s dad, Ronnie.
Ronnie was driving, and they were the only two in the vehicle. Liam, who wasn’t secured in his car seat, received brain damage during the collision. Ronnie suffered a cracked sternum, but the mental anguish was what he couldn’t bear. Three days later when they learned that Liam’s brain injury was irreversible, Ronnie took his own life.
“A lot of people don’t realize that CORE only became involved because of Ronnie’s death,” Ali said. “They came to speak with me about (Ronnie’s) organ donation, but I was the one who asked them about Liam. I knew Liam’s injuries had taken his life, but his other organs were healthy. I couldn’t bear the thought of letting those gifts go unused if they could save someone else.”
She was told that Liam’s heart likely couldn’t be given to a donor because of timing, legal procedures and hospital protocols.
“I remember telling them that wasn’t acceptable. His heart was healthy, and it’s not every day a healthy child’s heart has the chance to save another child’s life,” Ali said. “I met with hospital leadership and continued pushing because I believed with everything in me that Liam deserved that opportunity to help someone else.”
On May 6, Ali made the unimaginable decision to remove her son from life support at CAMC General. In addition to Baylor, two other children benefited from his lifesaving gifts. Ronnie's organ donations also saved lives.
“Ronnie loved Liam deeply. He made a tragic mistake that he knew he couldn’t undo, and he struggled with his mental health,” Ali said. “I don’t hate him. I wish they were both still here. My hope is that people see this story not only as one of unimaginable loss, but also one of grace, forgiveness, organ donation and the lives that can be saved because of one family’s decision.”
Learn more about CORE and organ donation HERE.
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