DENISON, Texas (KXII) – April marks National Donate Life Month, and for Kevin Lopez, it’s a reminder of the second chance he received 1,269 days ago.
A flag was raised at Texoma Medical Center in Denison to recognize organ donors and the lives they save. More than 10,000 people in Texas are waiting for organ transplants.
“We hope that this flag is just a really great symbol of that hope,” said Rachel Colman, marketing communications associate for Southwest Transplant Alliance.
Lopez received a heart transplant in 2021 at a hospital in Dallas after surviving 20 heart attacks over 18 years, now he tells his survival story.
His first heart attack was in early 2006, just before his 36th birthday. He died for about seven minutes.
“I came back, I was in a coma. They didn’t think I was going to come out of it, but I did,” Lopez said.
He was defibrillated 23 times and went through two pacemaker defibrillators that were implanted. In 2015, he had an occipital stroke and lost half his vision.
By 2021, his heart was failing, working less than 2% at the time of his transplant.
Lopez received a new heart from an organ donor.
“I feel amazing, man. My heart is just, it’s solid. So strong,” Lopez said.
Lopez said organ donation is more than a simple decision.
“It’s not just a checkbox on your driver’s license application. It means so much more,” Lopez said.
“Every donor hero gives hope to grateful transplant recipients that they wouldn’t have had otherwise a second chance at life,” Colman said.
Lopez said he is humbled by his second chance.
“It’s a bonus day every day,” Lopez said.
For the whole month, TMC will have the Donate Life flag hung in front of the hospital. Reminding all who pass by, the selfless gift so many have given others.
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