Derek Jeter’s Namesake Recovering from Heart Transplant

October 18, 2009 by Cathy Ribble
Filed under: News

While baseball star Derek Jeter battled for baseball titles last week, his namesake, little Jeter Villacis, battled for life as he underwent risky heart transplant surgery.

The New York Yankees captain had a message for 16-month old little Jeter and his famiily, “Keep battling, first and foremost.” Derek Jeter encouraged the family, “And try to stay positive. That’s what we do here, and you have to try to do that every day.”

During a routine checkup in August, Jeter Villacis was diagnosed with an enlarged heart that was beating way too fast. Jeter was in danger of cardiac arrest at any time. As the family waited for a heart to become available for transplant, the toddler was placed on a mechanical heart machine for approximately six weeks.

On October 9, only a few miles from Yankee Stadium where the Yankees came away with a come-back victory over Minnesota, little Jeter underwent 9 hours of heart transplant surgery. Doctors described the little patient as a fighter. His body accepted the new heart perfectly, and he is reported to be back on solid foods and playing with nurses. Doctors are hopeful he will be home in two weeks.

Little Jeter’s father, Robert Villacis, told reporters he named his son after Derek Jeter because he was the captain, and he wanted his son to grow up strong like his favorite baseball player. During his son’s medical crisis, Robert was laid off from his construction job. The family has been staying with relatives since that time. While they focus on their son’s recovery, their future is uncertain.