When he first learned that he qualified for a wish through the nonprofit Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area, he said he didn't know what to do — then, he landed on the cookbook idea.
For much of Wang's life, he'd had a diminished appetite because of his ailing heart, but after receiving a new heart, he now "has a yearning for delicious food," he told Make-A-Wish. This newfound hunger, coupled with his desire to stay healthy, led him to make his request: "to work with a professional chef to create a recipe book of healthy meals."
Titled "Justin's Hearty Recipes" the cookbook includes various recipes that are low in salt and also nutritious. Among the offerings: a Thai basil fried-rice dish and a traditional Filipino stir-fried rice-noodle dish called pancit.
"I have three main goals of this cookbook; be healthy, be convenient and taste good," said Wang, who is currently a sophomore at Foothill High School in Pleasanton.
After working with East Bay Healthy Chef owner Victoria Lacuesta, Wang held his first book signing on April 30 at the Ronald McDonald House.
With representatives of the media and various organizations surrounding him, he said he enjoyed his "15 minutes of fame," even though he didn't plan for the book to be such a huge deal.
Lacuesta said that at first she couldn't believe she was being chosen to help with the book.
But after getting the emails from Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area, meeting the Wang family at their house and deciding to try something new, she was excited for the opportunity.
"I'm not expecting anything big, as in huge publicity; I just want to help people," Lacuesta said.
Betsy Biern, CEO of Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area, said that as a mom and a cook, she loved Wang's wish and how he did it not only for himself but also for others like him.
Ronald McDonald House Charities Bay Area CEO Annette Eros said she found it moving and inspiring that Wang came back to share his experience with patients.
"Both of our organizations are about inspiration, hope and bringing happiness to families that are in crisis, and so this is one of the ways we've done work together, but this type of thing has been going on for a really long time," she said of the partnership between Ronald McDonald House and Make-A-Wish.
Wang said he considered his recovery at the house as both his best and his worst time.
"It wasn't great staying here, but it was awesome staying here," he said, explaining that while he didn't like that everyone was sick, he appreciated the friendly and supportive environment.
He said he feels like he brought hope to the house.
"People needed hope here the most; the people here are suffering the most," he said.
April Bristow and her son Kayano, who recently received a kidney transplant, were Wang's first neighbors at the house last year.
Bristow recollected how welcoming Justin was and how she always saw him cooking during their months at the house.
"It's like a big family, very warm, and it's unique in that we are all going through something similar," she said.
Wang's parents said they've been moved by all the work the organizations have done for their son and are grateful to everyone who helped him, especially the family who donated his new heart.
"It's a big stone lifted from us," said Wang's dad, Lin Wang, adding that his son is much healthier now.
With the first year over, Wang's mom, Yang Wei, said she doesn't know what the future holds but that she will always support Justin.
"Transplants are not the solution; it's an extension of life," Wei said. "It's like we're in the process of uncharted territory, so during this journey we're doing it one step at a time."
In the past year, Wang said, he started exercising and playing sports, something completely new for him.
Cathy Koubek, director of marketing and communications for Donor Network West, praised Justin for bringing awareness to organ donations.
"I think Justin is a living, breathing example of the successes of organ transplant," she said.
But Koubek also said many other people still need hearts and that more can be done to save people's lives.
"Be an organ donor," Wang said. "When the inevitable comes, an organ donation will continue your legacy even after death."
"And an inconvenience of 15 minutes (to sign up) can save a life — multiple lives actually."
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