Recipient
Mark grew up and lived with a passion lifelong athlete, and fitness enthusiast for half-marathons, cycling, triathlons, and obstacle-course racing. He comes from a strong and supportive family with a unique and evolving history.
In late October 2015, after having difficulty finishing a triathlon, and nearly drowning in the swim section, he landed in the ER and was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, the same disease that caused his father to need a heart transplant 33 years ago. He spent over 5 weeks in the CCU at Jackson Memorial Hospital in congestive heart failure, kidney failure, and liver failure. Mark was also immediately placed on the waiting list for a heart transplant at the highest status of 1A. With the assistance of an aortic balloon pump, many drugs, and a minor surgery, a recovery was made that allowed Mark to be discharged from the hospital. Upon being released, he had an inotrope pump line installed in the chest, a pacemaker/defibrillator implanted, and was downgraded to 1B status on the transplant list. During the 6 1/2 months that followed, many other procedures were done, including multiple hospital stays and ER visits.
In June 2016, Mark finally got “the call”. This was the moment he’d been waiting for 225 days and the call arrived T 1:07 AM on the morning of June 3, 2016. A heart was found for him! The donor will forever be Mark’s angel… not just on his shoulder, but beating strongly in his chest. For the second time, the Barber family experienced the gift of life. Surgery was a success and the Transplant Team at Jackson Memorial Hospital were very happy with the results. Mark walked the day after surgery. He walked out of the hospital 13 days later… alive, strong, and grateful. Throughout all of this life-altering journey, great doctors, clear short & long-term treatment plans, and a positive daily outlook on life have kept Mark moving forward on his road to recovery. A unique family background and upbringing contributed to his ability to be thankful and grateful on a daily basis, even in the most difficult times. Mark is THANKFUL for the gift of life given to him by a 30-year-old health & fitness enthusiast from Miami. He is GRATEFUL for all of the doctors, nurses, techs, and other medical professionals who made these lifesaving procedures, and transplant surgery possible! That is why, Mark wants to share his experiences as the child of a transplant recipient and as a heart transplant recipient himself to help others get through the tough periods of waiting, pain, uncertainty, change, and rebirth.
There is an overwhelming need to raise awareness for organ donor registration and educate those reluctant to do so by being open, honest, and understanding. Mark has used his experiences to help others through, both pre- and post-transplant, in and out of the hospital. He regularly speaks with patients waiting for listing or those already listed for transplant. In addition, advocacy for organ donation education is a passion being used regularly by speaking to students in Florida Middle and High Schools about heart health, transplantation, and what’s like to be a patient. Mark also participates in Florida cycling events to raise awareness and register donors.
