One of the busiest shopping days turned out to be a bust due to the weather. But there was a tremendous gift of life that received the support of area first responders in the middle of heavy snow and whiteout conditions that Friday.

A 64-year-old woman from the Rochester area was headed to Cleveland Clinic for a heart transplant when her husband encountered the lake-effect snowstorm. Traveling on Route 5 in the town of Portland, he called a nurse at the Cleveland facility to report his predicament.

He and his wife, with a battery powered heart pump, were stranded in the snow. Within moments, help was on the way. That nurse was able to contact the State Police and Troopers were able to maintain continuous contact and locate them with a State Police Utility Task Vehicle. Troopers implemented a plan to transport the 64-year-old to Portland Fire Department then to Westfield Memorial Hospital.

Troopers then transported her to the Jamestown Airport in Chautauqua County clear of the storm and she was flown by plane out of the area to Cleveland Clinic for the heart transplant.

“This is an incredible story of perseverance and coordination,” the State Police said in a news release. “The actions of the Troopers, medical staff, and transportation teams highlight how critical teamwork and quick thinking can save lives, even in the face of severe weather conditions. It’s heartening to see such dedication to ensuring a patient received a life-saving heart transplant despite the challenges posed by the snowstorm.”

On a day when the weather was at its worst, responders were at their best. It was one more reason to be thankful last week.