11-Year-Old Fan Surprised by Drake at Hospital Gets Heart Transplant

I’m not a big Drake fan, but 11-year-old Sofia Sanchez is. Sofia also has cardiomyopathy, a condition she was diagnosed with this summer, which often results in heart failure. While she was at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, where she was waiting on a heart transplant, Sofia participated in the “In My Feelings” challenge, posting a video of herself getting out of a wheelchair to dance along to Drake.

“I love your music and I was hoping that you could come and cheer me up for my birthday or anytime this week,” she said in the video.

Well, it turns out Drake was listening. Last week, before his Chicago tour stop with Migos, Drake surprised Sofia at the hospital with a visit. The “God’s Plan” rapper, who has four songs on Spotify’s “Top Global Songs of the Summer” list, shared the moment on Instagram.

“Me and my love Sofia talking about Bieber and Owls and Basketball,” Drake captioned the photo.

Of course, this isn’t the first time Drake has surprised fans or been charitable with his time or money. According to Billboard, his first major act of charity happened in 2010, when he donated $30,000 to a Jamaican school. Since then, he’s helped fund a Philadelphia high school’s recording studio, helped raise money for Hurricane Harvey relief, and pledged $1 million to repair Toronto’s basketball courts.

For Sofia, though, the story gets even better. Her second wish—that she get a new heart—was fulfilled this week. On Sunday, her mother told her that she would be getting a heart transplant (h/t Billboard). Sofia’s elated reaction was captured and shared on Instagram, where Drake was quick to offer his support.

“YESSSS!!!! My love so happy for you,” he responded.

Of course, cynics will say that this is a PR stunt—a very nice, but very public act of goodwill. And part of me doesn’t necessarily disagree. But when you boil it all down, the exchange—and the pure joy Sofia displays—is just a simple, sweet, and good thing in a news cycle that doesn’t often give you those things. I may never be a Drake fan, but I can appreciate that much.

Sofia’s now recovering from her successful operation, which took place Monday morning.