Meet Christophe
Christophe Lafontant, at age six, had a near death experience due to sudden complete heart block and heart failure. Born healthy with no childhood illnesses, this was baffling to doctors. During his hospitalization, he had a repeat episode. A lifesaving pacemaker was implanted. He was then referred to the National Institutes of Health where he was diagnosed with a cardiomyopathy of uncertain etiology. Over a period of months, Christophe returned to near normal activities, playing non-contact sports, including tennis. He continued to excel academically, holding several leadership positions. He had extensive volunteer experience and participated in numerous extracurricular activities. He attended Bergen Catholic High School in 1998, and has since been inducted into the hall of fame. In his junior year, he was faced with severe deterioration of his heart and received his first heart transplant in March of 2000. Despite complications after surgery and several readmissions, he graduated with honors and was admitted to Columbia University in 2001. He faced rejection of his first donor heart in 2004, and after eight months in the Intensive Care Unit, he received his second heart transplant.
Due to kidney failure as a complication, Christophe was placed on dialysis for two years and received a kidney transplant in December of 2006. It was in 2010 when he developed generalized weakness, followed by respiratory failure with multiple intubations and ventilator support. After an extensive workup, he was diagnosed with a rare disease, Myofibrillar Myopathy, caused by a genetic mutation. He needed a tracheostomy and continued respiratory support and required several months of intensive rehabilitation and physical therapy. Furthermore, his transplanted kidney failed in January of 2018, placing him back on dialysis three times a week as he awaits another potential donor. His blood type is O-. In 2019, Christophe was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, which resulted in surgery to remove the left half of his thyroid in February 2020. Christophe is now fully wheelchair bound and requires the assistance of a 24/7 personal aid.
Christophe celebrated his 38th birthday in July of 2021. He requires a respirator at night and receives weekly physical and speech therapy. He continues his struggle with faith, optimism, and support of his loving family and a wide circle of friends. He is an active volunteer of the Child Life Services at New York Presbyterian Hospital. He organizes an annual toy drive for the Children’s Hospital and is available for counseling to families and children awaiting heart transplants. Christophe self published his autobiography, 1 Man, 3 Hearts, 9 Lives in November of 2015 and is on a mission to spread awareness of this very rare disease. As of August 2022, Christophe is now a fully certified health and life coach.
Due to kidney failure as a complication, Christophe was placed on dialysis for two years and received a kidney transplant in December of 2006. It was in 2010 when he developed generalized weakness, followed by respiratory failure with multiple intubations and ventilator support. After an extensive workup, he was diagnosed with a rare disease, Myofibrillar Myopathy, caused by a genetic mutation. He needed a tracheostomy and continued respiratory support and required several months of intensive rehabilitation and physical therapy. Furthermore, his transplanted kidney failed in January of 2018, placing him back on dialysis three times a week as he awaits another potential donor. His blood type is O-. In 2019, Christophe was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, which resulted in surgery to remove the left half of his thyroid in February 2020. Christophe is now fully wheelchair bound and requires the assistance of a 24/7 personal aid.
Christophe celebrated his 38th birthday in July of 2021. He requires a respirator at night and receives weekly physical and speech therapy. He continues his struggle with faith, optimism, and support of his loving family and a wide circle of friends. He is an active volunteer of the Child Life Services at New York Presbyterian Hospital. He organizes an annual toy drive for the Children’s Hospital and is available for counseling to families and children awaiting heart transplants. Christophe self published his autobiography, 1 Man, 3 Hearts, 9 Lives in November of 2015 and is on a mission to spread awareness of this very rare disease. As of August 2022, Christophe is now a fully certified health and life coach.
