Steve Ford
Heart Recipient
“My dad, Steve Ford, was a great man, husband, father and poppy to his grandchildren. He was an engineer who served in the United States Air Force and loved his family. This is the story of how my dad got his ‘second chance’ through his heart transplant,” shared Steve’s daughter, Heather.
“My dad had struggled with his heart for a long time. He had countless heart catheterizations, hospital stays and numerous stents placed, which helped in the short term, but never for long. His doctors knew his best chance at living a better life was through a heart transplant. The process of being placed on the waiting list took time, many evaluations and appointments, but my dad was finally added to the transplant waiting list on April 30th, 2010.
On July 3, 2010, I had a conversation with my dad, and he told me, “I feel like something is going to happen this weekend.” On July 4th, we received a call about a potential donor, and we needed to head to MUSC immediately. This became the day that our family would remember and celebrate for years to come. He received his heart transplant, and his recovery journey began. My dad felt a calling to give back to the organizations that made this process possible, so my parents began volunteering for Donate Life SC and We Are Sharing Hope SC. My dad started a support group called “Second Chance” in the Midlands of South Carolina, a group dedicated to organ recipients, those waiting on transplants and the caregivers of these patients. My dad felt it was his duty to tell people about organ donation, what it means and just how vital one gift can be. He spoke at events, presented at the State House and participated in Donor Sabbath. He never stopped trying to give everything he could back, because he was so grateful for the gift someone had given him. He participated in the Transplant Games of America in Texas, Ohio and Utah.
On May 28th, 2021, my dad passed away, but it was not his heart that gave out. My dad suffered several strokes while in the hospital on a ventilator due to another medical complication. My dad did try to be an organ donor himself, but he was unable to do so. My dad never met his donor family, but he lived every single day grateful for the gift he was given. He lived almost 11 years with his new heart. 11 years that he would not have had if not for someone choosing to say “yes” to be an organ donor. I hope and pray that you get inspiration from his story and want to leave a legacy of love and hope like my dad, Steve Ford.”
