LAROSE, La. -- Emily Sanchez of Larose had two wishes granted this year.
Following a nine-month wait, the 19-year-old general studies freshman at Fletcher Technical Community College received a heart transplant on Jan. 22.
Her second wish was fulfilled Aug. 3 when she met performer Justin Timberlake before his concert at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
"He was exactly what I imagined him to be like. He was very laid back," Emily said. "At first I was nervous, but he made me feel very comfortable. He is such a good performer, and I had a blast."
The meeting between Sanchez and Timberlake was arranged by the Kids Wish Network, said Jennifer Sanchez, Emily's mother.
Kids Wish Network, a Florida-based charitable organization, works with children who experience life-altering situations and aims to grant their wishes and create meaningful memories.
While Emily has recovered following her heart transplant, she dealt with heart-related issues for several years.
Jennifer said her daughter began complaining of heart palpitations in fourth grade, and she was diagnosed and treated for anxiety.
However, the family would not learn the truth behind Emily's condition until several years later.
In 2010, Emily met with a pediatric cardiologist at the Ochsner Health System in New Orleans. The doctor conducted an echocardiogram and stress test on Emily and recommended she also receive an angiogram for further investigation.
Upon receiving the results of the angiogram, the doctor confirmed that the then 10th-grade student had congenital heart disease and would need a heart transplant.
Eight months following her diagnosis, Emily received a cardiac defibrillator, which kept her stable for about a year and a half after it was implanted.
In December 2012, Emily experienced heart failure, and in May 2013, she was placed on the heart transplant list.
Throughout 2013, Emily was in and out of the hospital for heart failure-related issues.
During Emily's time in the hospital, Jennifer purchased tickets to the Justin Timberlake concert for Emily's 19th birthday present.
Emily, who had never seen Timberlake in concert before, said she surprised.
"I didn't even think that would have been one of my presents," she said. "I've been a fan of Justin Timberlake since forever. I was a fan of NSYNC, so he's always been one of my favorites."
Jennifer said two of her coworkers contacted the Kids Wish Network with hopes to grant Emily another wish for her birthday. However, Emily was unable to travel far until she received the transplant.
"At her party, we said we can't travel to do anything, so we asked her if she would be interested in meeting (Justin)," Jennifer said. "We set it up in November, and in March, Justin OK'd it. We didn't know what was going to happen nine months from then, and surprisingly, she got her transplant on Jan. 22. It was the perfect situation."
In addition to arranging a meeting with Timberlake, the Kids Wish Network also planned a mother-daughter date for Emily and Jennifer in New Orleans.
The organization paid for the duo to enjoy lunch at Bravo! Cucina Italiana in Metairie on the day before the concert and lunch at the Palace Café in New Orleans the following day.
The Lakeside Shopping Center also donated a $100 gift card to Emily for a pre-concert shopping spree.
"It was an awesome experience," Emily said.
