SEATTLE'S MORNING NEWS

Chewbacca delivers heartening news to hospitalized teen

Mar 26, 2018, 7:11 AM | Updated: Oct 1, 2024, 7:36 am

It must be the pits to spend months on end in a hospital. I can’t imagine how hard it would be for a child to do that. Luckily, 15-year-old Austin Eggleston has a wonderful medical staff that goes above-and-beyond to keep his spirits high.

Eggleston has multiple congenital heart defects. According to WLS Chicago, he was on the transplant list for a new heart for months. During that time he grew close to his cardiologist. The two bonded over a love of Star Wars and so his doctor promised that when news came down that a new heart was on the way, he’d dress up as Chewbacca to deliver the news.

Well that happened recently and the video has been a viral sensation.

His mom captured the moment and spoke with WLS Chicago.

“To see him knowing that he has a chance at life, he has a chance to achieve so many things, it’s just… leaves you speechless,” she said.

Austin got his new heart recently and is reportedly doing well.

If you have a Daily Dose of Kindness to share with Colleen, email her at cobrien@kiroradio.com.

You can hear Colleen O’Brien’s “Daily Dose of Kindness” segment every morning at 7:30 a.m. on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM.

missing vulnerable person kent...

Frank Sumrall

Kent police searching for vulnerable adult missing since July 12

The Kent Police Department issued a "missing vulnerable adult" alert after a resident went missing in early July.

16 minutes ago

Associated Press

FBI chief hold talks in Cambodia over closer security cooperation to combat online scam crimes

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — FBI Director Kash Patel held talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Wednesday on joint efforts to combat international online scam operations that cheat victims out of billions of dollars each year. A report issued Tuesday by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime estimated that scams caused […]

30 minutes ago

Gold-colored Presidential seals are seen on a fireplace in the Oval Office as President Donald Trum...

Associated Press

The Latest: Trump will attend dignified transfer of 4 US service members killed in the Middle East

The United States and Iran exchanged fire across the Middle East on Wednesday, overshadowing diplomatic efforts in Pakistan to salvage an interim ceasefire deal that has collapsed. President Donald Trump plans to attend the dignified transfer of four more service members who were killed in action. Republicans are pushing a Pete Hegseth faced fiery questions […]

36 minutes ago

fire seattle warehouse investigators...

Lexi Herda, KIRO 7 News

Investigators say fire that destroyed Seattle warehouse was set on purpose

Investigators determined that a fire that destroyed a warehouse in Seattle’s Industrial District was intentionally set.

37 minutes ago

seattle sunshine record-breaking heat wave...

Chief Meteorologist Morgan Palmer, KIRO 7 News

Pinpoint Alert: Peak heat Wednesday with hottest high temperatures of the year for many

As hot, high-pressure air builds over the Pacific Northwest, temperatures will again climb well into the 90s for many spots Wednesday, stretching from Central Sound down through South Sound.

45 minutes ago

In this photo provided by Alexis Wood, a flooded Walmart parking lot is shown Tuesday, July 21, 202...

Associated Press

National Guard is deployed as flash floods in West Virginia inundate homes and businesses

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Torrential rains caused flash floods that inundated homes and businesses, washed out bridges and led to numerous water rescues in portions of West Virginia, authorities said. Gov. Patrick Morrisey sent 100 National Guard members to the hardest-hit areas in the northern part of the state, and declared a state of emergency […]

1 hour ago

Chewbacca delivers heartening news to hospitalized teen