DENISON, Texas (KXII) – April marks National Donate Life Month, and for Kevin Lopez, it\u2019s a reminder of the second chance he received 1,269 days ago.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope that this flag is just a really great symbol of that hope,\u201d said Rachel Colman, marketing communications associate for Southwest Transplant Alliance.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
His first heart attack was in early 2006, just before his 36th birthday. He died for about seven minutes. <\/p>\n
\u201cI came back, I was in a coma. They didn\u2019t think I was going to come out of it, but I did,\u201d Lopez said.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
By 2021, his heart was failing, working less than 2% at the time of his transplant.<\/p>\n
Lopez received a new heart from an organ donor.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel amazing, man. My heart is just, it\u2019s solid. So strong,\u201d Lopez said.<\/p>\n
Lopez said organ donation is more than a simple decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just a checkbox on your driver\u2019s license application. It means so much more,\u201d Lopez said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery donor hero gives hope to grateful transplant recipients that they wouldn\u2019t have had otherwise a second chance at life,\u201d Colman said.<\/p>\n
Lopez said he is humbled by his second chance.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a bonus day every day,\u201d Lopez said.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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