Mike Sheffield remembers the exact words his doctor told him when he was diagnosed with a fatal heart condition, " He said you have two choices. He said you can go home and die in six months or you can check in the hospital today."
At 62- years-old, Mike decided to check in to the cardiac care unit at Houston Methodist Hospital where he remained for nearly 8 weeks until he received the news he was hoping for.
"God blessed me with a miracle gift of a new heart on September 14, 2016."
That gift came from Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency, also known as LOPA.
“To see a recipient who is so aware of the gift and the life they have been given, it’s very moving" said LOPA community educator Suzanna Morton.
After Mike felt like he had fully recovered, he decided to reach out to his donor's family to thank them. Upon meeting them, he found out that his donor was a Texas woman named Colleen Clark, who was a single mother of her 7-year-old daughter.
"They were very happy to see us, and they were happy their heart was able to help someone return to a better life," said Mike.
Mike and his family are proof that organ donors save lives and give second chances to those who need it most. The process to become a donor is simple and for those interested can register on LOPA.org.
