Glen Moore, Heart Transplant Recipient

In February of 2000 I went to the doctor for my yearly check up, and the doctor found that I had a plugged artery and would have to have a stent put in. I went to rehab and felt great, but early the next year I was having some chest pains and went back to my doctor. Again I had a stent put in and was given medication, but when I went back in August the doctor told me that he had never seen a heart go downhill as quickly as mine. I was then scheduled to go to the heart clinic at University Hospital, and my appointment was set for Sept. 12, 2001. The doctor that I was going to see and some of the nurses were in Washington D.C. the day before, and tragically we all know the events that unfolded on that day. The doctor and nurses could not get a flight back to Cincinnati following Sept. 11th, so University Hospital sent a van to Washington, D.C. to pick them up, and I was able to see the doctor one week later. My doctor then placed me on the transplant list for a new heart on Feb. 12, and I got a call for my new heart on April 7, 2002.

I cannot say enough good things about my wife Ruby. She was by my side every step of the way. I have often said that if it was not for Ruby and God by my side, I would not have made it. We as transplant recipients really do appreciate our donor families as well, knowing that if it were not for them, many of us would not have our lives today. I do not know my donor family, but I want to say to them thank you, thank you, thank you for giving me the gift of life.

– Glen Moore, Heart Transplant Recipient