Personal Stories
Dwight's Story
The heart transplant I received in 1986
did more than just saved my life. In many
ways my life took on new meaning and focus
as I learned to adjust to the physiological,
social, mental and spiritual changes the
event caused.
Unlike many others who had heart troubles
prior to receiving a transplant Ñ some for
a number of years Ñ I experienced heart failure
just a couple months prior to needing a transplant.
In retrospect, though, my heart functions
had diminished over a period of three years.
When I learned that I had only a couple of
months to live and needed a heart transplant
I was encouraged to visit the University
Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona, as we
were living in Phoenix at the time. I had
decided not to consider transplantation as
a solution to my heart problems. However,
when I learned of the many Ñ 98 heart recipients
Ñ who had received new hearts and were living
healthy and active lives, as well as getting
a lot of encouragement from transplant #97
Ñ Bob Barnett Ñ at the University Medical
Center in Tucson, I decided to put my life
into the hands of God and the medical centre
transplant team. So on Aug. 4, 1986, at the
age of 26 I received the miracle of new life
from one, and the family of the one, who
believed that a tragic death for the one
could mean life for another.
Since my transplant, I have continued to
lead an active life, refusing to let physiological
issues hinder my love for and participation
in sport and exercise. Since the transplant,
my life-long partner and love of my life
has given me three wonderful boys Ñ now 19,
13, and 12 years of age Ñ each of whom are
similarly and competitively active in sports.
Of all the things I appreciate most since
my heart transplant, it is the many recreational
activities, such as soccer, skiing, hiking,
camping and golf Ñ I can enjoy with my family.
There have been many people along the way
who have encouraged and shown me that I am
just as capable of achieving my dreams and
personal goals as any other man.
- My heartfelt thanks goes out to:
The donor family for their gift of life.
- Bob Barnett mentor and friend Ñ transplant
#97 Tucson Medical Center.
- Dr. Isognogal and the transplant team
of the Tucson University Medical Center.
- Ilene Burton, post-transplant co-ordinator,
and post-transplant team of the University
of Alberta Hospital who have taken exceptional
care of me during the past 18 years and
to whom I owe my life.
- Mark Haykowski, of the physiotherapy
department at the University of Alberta,
who proved and took me to a level of fitness
that I never thought I would be capable
of achieving.
- Ken Riess, my personal coach, mentor
and friend without whom I would never have
realized a life-long dream of running a
half Ironman and some day a full Ironman.
- Silvio Dobri, president of the GoodHearts
Mentoring Foundation, mentor and friend
who has given me an opportunity to do something
for the heart transplant community that
I would not have been able to do on my
own.
December 2006
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