Recipient

I was born a “blue” baby with a severe congenital heart defect at a time when open-heart surgery was in its first steps. My family did not expect to see my first birthday, but, at sixteen-months old, I was one of the babies in the first group to have open-heart surgery. I had two more open-heart surgeries by the age of twenty.

In my thirties, as my health continued failing, I was entered into the national transplant waiting list. When I was celebrating my 40th birthday, I was told that there was a heart for me. What a Birthday present!

My new heart helped me live many things that I never thought possible, like attending the weddings of my nieces and nephews, as well as sharing the joy of their children’s birth. I have traveled to many cities, enjoyed music festivals, visited beautiful national parks, climbed ruins, hiked on the rim of the Grand Canyon. Recently, I won a Gold Medal in bowling at the Transplant Games of America. However, my most bitter-sweet experience was on the day that I met my donor’s wife and his daughter; there were tears, sadness, and joy. I firmly believe that this meeting helped all of us with a closure of the unknown, and yes, we are still in contact!

In July of 2021, I celebrated the twentieth year of having received my “Gift of Life”. I will never take my transplant for granted. Thus, I mentor others who wait for their Gift of Life, and volunteer as one of the many ambassadors of Life Alliance (LAORA) spreading the word for the importance of Organ Donation. I am forever grateful to my donor and his family for the life-saving gift they gave me. I am very proud when I share my donor’s photo and say: “I have the HEART OF A MARINE”.