Cedars-Sinai Medical Center was featured on Good Morning America following the heart transplant of Christopher “Kid” Reid, known for his role in the rap duo Kid ’n Play. The surgery took place at Cedars-Sinai in August 2025.
Reid had been diagnosed with heart failure after experiencing symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath. Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs, which can lead to fluid buildup.
In an interview with Michael Strahan, Reid explained that he initially ignored his symptoms. He encouraged others, particularly people of color, to seek medical attention if they notice something unusual. “A lot of times, we don’t go because we don’t want the bad news, or we’re too busy just hustling, trying to make it from day to day,” Reid said. “And we … feel like we don’t got time, or we’ll get over it. Well, you might not.”
Erika Jones, MD, a cardiologist at Cedars-Sinai, told Good Morning America that during a follow-up appointment it became clear that medication was no longer effective for Reid’s condition. “He came in very swollen again,” she said, “and that is a little unusual in somebody who’s been started on treatment.”
Laura DiChiacchio, MD, PhD, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Cedars-Sinai’s Smidt Heart Institute, explained that further tests showed Reid’s condition was worsening and required immediate action. “So when we think about status for a heart transplant,” DiChiacchio said, “he was very high on that list because of how ill he was and really dealing with a kind of life or death situation.”
A few days later a donor heart became available and DiChiacchio led the team that performed the successful transplant.
After his recovery, Reid expressed gratitude for his new chance at life. “This thing is … a beautiful life,” he said. “And, you know, I wanna be around for it.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 6.7 million adults in the United States have heart failure. Common risk factors include high blood pressure and diabetes; lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and proper nutrition can help reduce these risks.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is located in Los Angeles and has operated since 1902 under its current president Thomas M. Priselac. In 2022 alone the hospital admitted more than 50,000 patients.
Click here to watch the full segment from Good Morning America.
