The State - News from Feb. 11, 1985

Polish heart patient Piotr Sternik, 6, who underwent life-saving surgery with a $25,000 financial assist from about 1,000 people across the country, was released from Stanford University Medical Center, a spokeswoman reported. The boy walked out of the hospital on his own, got into a car and was driven about 70 miles south to Carmel to recuperate, according to Peter Wasowski of San Carlos, who is host to Piotr and his mother, Halina Sternik. The child, from Gdansk, Poland, had surgery Jan. 25. His father, Michal Sternik, a former Solidarity activist, remained in Poland. Wasowski estimated it might be the end of March before the boy is allowed to return to his home.