A Cross River resident who is the recipient of a donated organ marked a major milestone this April, which is National "Donate a Life" Month.

It's been one year since Jennifer Mayadas-Dering's heart transplant.

The Westchester resident and former professional world racquetball player was sidelined last February after suffering heart failure.

She underwent heart transplant surgery last April at Westchester Medical Center. Three months later she returned to the court, thanks to her organ donor and her team of medical professionals.

"It's absolutely amazing. A year that wasn't promised to me and the journey that I've been on has included a lot of very special people, experiences," Mayadas-Dering said.

"One take home message, that when patients are sick and they're not doing well, ask their doctor to send them to a specialized clinic for heart failure like ours," said Dr. Alan Gass, of the Westchester Medical Center.

As of 2021, its estimated that 169 million people are registered organ donors in the United States.