The human heart beats, on average, 100,000 times per day.  It does not go on vacation, nor does it take a break.  It knows to speed up when you are exercising and slow down again when you are resting.  But what happens when this magnificent muscle becomes damaged?

            Kirk knows only too well how vital the heart is.  Throughout the years, Kirk had a few serious problems with blood clots, but at age 53, he was feeling great.  He was following an exercise plan and feeling strong.  He had no reason to suspect that on a beautiful summer afternoon, while playing tennis, he would experience a life-threatening heart attack.  Doctors didn’t expect him to survive the night, but somehow he pulled through.  His love of life helped him continue to get through each day as he slowly worked to regain his health and finally become well enough to return to work.

            After a few years, he found himself getting tired easily.  Doctors discovered the damage caused by his heart attack was putting additional strain on his heart and it was beginning to fail.  When his condition worsened, doctors decided to install a heart pump to assist the left side of his heart.  They quickly realized he needed another heart pump to assist the right side of his heart.  The second surgery was done only two days later, on December 23, 2009, and Kirk was told he would not be able to leave the hospital until he received a new heart.

            January 7, 2010, Kirk got his “pass” out of the hospital – a family had said yes to donation and he was able to get a heart transplant.  When he awoke the next day, even with post- surgery pain, and medications, he felt happier than he ever remembers feeling.  The blood circulated in his body in a way it had not done for years; he felt warmer and his feet were back to a healthy color.  “It is an indescribable feeling, knowing I will be with my family for many more years,” says Kirk. 

            Every day approximately 18 people die, waiting for a transplant.  To learn more about organ, eye and tissue donation and to register on the “Yes” Utah Donor Registry, go to www.yesutah.org or call 1.866.YES.UTAH (1.866.937.8824).

Tags: donate life, donor registry, heart, heart transplant, Intermountain Donor Services, organ, organ donation, organ donor, transplant, utah, yes utah, yesutah

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