When he was just 15 years old, Troy was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse, meaning the valve separating the upper and lower chambers of his heart was not closing properly. Even with this condition, he had no real issues until he was in his late 20s. In 2000, doctors implanted an artificial mitral valve, but it had to be replaced in 2006, along with an aortic valve.
After 14 years of common law marriage, Esmerelda and Jose Luis Miranda officially tied the knot, walking the aisle as friends and family smiled through tears at the La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa Sunday.
As you may already know, February is National Heart Month. Throughout this month, we hope to raise awareness about heart disease and the range of people it can affect.
In 2007, Ricardo “Ricky” Santiago was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, caused by medication he received as a child during chemotherapy treatments for leukemia. In 2005, doctors implanted a pacemaker to help regulate his heart. Although the pacemaker initially helped, doctors soon realized Ricardo needed a heart transplant to survive. He has been on the transplant waiting list for more than a year.
For some time, Misty Lea suffered from flu-like symptoms that slowly worsened. She eventually began feeling weak, coughing up blood and experiencing swelling in her legs and feet. After a trip to the emergency room, she learned she was suffering from cardiomyopathy. Doctors have told Misty Lea a heart transplant is essential to her survival. She is currently on the transplant waiting list at the Lutheran Hospital in Ft. Wayne, IN.
Well, the title is partially true. I am in the Gold Coast with Team USA to swim in the World Transplant Games against the best transplant athletes in the world. However, I would not be in this position without the support of NFT in my life, both pre and post-transplant. NFT’s impact continues to this day.As my family began the process of waiting for the phone call that could save my life in June 2005, we had to decide how to raise enough money to not only pay for my surgery and recovery, but also the years of expenses to follow. This was an arduous task, considering I was dying from heart failure after living with cardiomyopathy for 15 long years. NFT offered me wise counsel and great resources to set and reach our goal of $35,000. We were fortunate to have Connie Gonitzke as our advisor/coach during the fundraising. We met the goal!
Now, after four years of good health, I have been blessed to swim for Team NC at the 2006 & 2008 U.S. Transplant Games, winning seven gold medals and setting four American records. This year, I have the honor of representing Team USA as an elite transplant athlete, swimming with transplant recipients from 50 different countries. I will compete in five individual events: 50 & 100 meter backstroke, 50 & 100 meter breaststroke, 400 meter freestyle, as well as both the men's medley and freestyle relays!
I will compete in Brisbane, Australia on August 26 and 27. As I ponder this upcoming experience, I am humbled to be in this situation. There were many dark and frightening days during my illness, when my wife and two daughters were not sure if I would survive much longer. Therefore, I am filled with gratitude for the countless people who helped lift me to a position where I can strive for a gold medal at the World Games. NFT has played a pivotal role in making this dream a reality.
Swimming for life,
Brian Barndt
Visit Brian’s blog at http://www.heart2swim.com/ for updates during the World Transplant Games!
While attending a college football game with some friends in the fall of 2008, Matthew Clark began experiencing breathing problems. A week later tests revealed a virus had attacked his heart, and he was suffering from congestive heart failure.
Doctors told Matthew a heart transplant is his only hope for a second chance at life. This father of four boys loves spending time with his children, whether he is coaching T-ball or playing video games. His faith, along with his strong desire to see his boys grow up, keeps him positive and focused on each new day.
A heart transplant costs approximately $750,000. And that's only the beginning. Even with health coverage, Matthew faces significant medical expenses related to his transplant. For the rest of his life, he will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications.
Can you help Matthew and his family with his soaring medical expenses? To make a donation to NFT to assist Matthew with his transplant-related expenses, please visit his Web page on the NFT site.
It’s time to submit entries for the 5th annual Astellas Ride of a Lifetime contest! Five transplant recipients will win a five-night trip for two to California to ride on the Donate Life float during the Rose Parade on January 1, 2010.
The contest is limited to liver, kidney and heart recipients currently taking Prograf. Entrants must be at least 13 years old. One winner per geographical region (Northeast, Southeast, Mid-America, Great Lakes and Western) will be selected.
To enter, recipients must submit an essay of no more than 500 words describing how their lives were transformed by transplantation. All entries must be accompanied by a photo of the entrant. For more information, or to submit your essay online, please visit the Astellas Ride of a Lifetime Web site.
Deadline is 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 31, 2009.
