In 2022, David Bates and his wife were enjoying every moment of their life together. David had just left his corporate job of 10 years to start a business with his wife and they welcomed 2023 joyfully, completely unaware of what the year had in store for them. On Jan. 8, David suffered a massive heart attack known as a widowmaker. He was rushed to Jefferson Memorial Hospital, where doctors tried to manage his severely damaged heart before transferring him to Allegheny General Hospital.
David quickly learned that to survive, he would need a new heart.
He recalled his mind racing: “Was I going to live? Was I going to be a father and husband again? What would become of my family if I were to not survive this tragedy?”
David and his family turned to CORE to find hope.
David received word on Feb. 4 that he was getting a second chance, thanks to a donor hero, and by Feb. 17, he was back home with his wife and children.
“We are eternally grateful for them; we owe them so much,” he said. “Donor families offer hope, love and life to us and those in need.”
The donor hero and family enable David to do what he loves most: being a dad. Through their journey, David and his wife have become inspired to spread awareness about organ donation. Not only are he and his wife registered donors, but so is his son, Nicholas, and countless other family members and friends.