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TJ Olsen, the son of retired Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, thanked football fans for their outpouring of support after the 8-year-old received a heart transplant on June 4.
“Thank you for thinking of me,” TJ says in the video, which his father posted to Instagram and Twitter. “Thank you for praying with me. Congrats, all of you have gotten a win. We love you guys.”
TJ was born with a congenital heart defect and has had three open heart surgeries in the past three years. He was placed on the transplant list eight days before receiving the heart, and Olsen has been regularly posting updates about his son’s condition.
The three-time Pro Bowler also thanked fans and expressed gratitude to the family of the organ donor.
“We also want to ask that everyone takes a second to pray for our donor family,” he tweeted. “Their selflessness during a tragic time gave our boy a chance at life.”
Olsen’s foundation founded The HEARTest Yard, an initiative dedicated to TJ that helps to provide relief to families of pediatric cardiovascular patients. Through the program at the Levine Children’s Hospital, where TJ is being treated, fans have been able to donate to support children who face cardiovascular issues.
The family has also received support from the Panthers organization, which posted an image on social media of Bank of America Stadium lit up green, TJ’s favorite color, with the hashtag, #PlayForTJ. The Duke Energy Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, also lit up green on the day of his surgery.
“All early signs have been positive,” Olsen wrote Sunday on Instagram. “Your prayers and well wishes have been working and we’re beyond grateful.”
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