Heart Transplant Patient Stories

Meet some of Sharp's transplant patients and read about their life-changing experiences. The Sharp Transplant Program team is proud to help make stories like these possible.

 Brian O'Dor Brian O'Dor, Explant Survivor
I was in the desert racing my motorcycle like any other typical weekend when I started feeling a great deal of chest pain. I had no idea what was wrong. Read Brian's heart explant story.
 Debbie Kinney, Heart Transplant Survivor  Debbie Kinney, Heart Transplant Survivor
Debbie Kinney was first introduced to San Diegans through Sharp HealthCare's television documentary, "Stories of The Sharp Experience," as she waited to learn if she would be eligible for a heart transplant. Follow her amazing story through the documentary and as she chronicles her experiences in her own journal. Read Debbie's heart transplant journal.
 Mark Griffin Mark Griffin, Explant Survivor
Mark had just returned home from a family vacation when he started to feel nauseous and figured he had the stomach flu. A couple days later, his wife found him on the floor next to their bed taking deep breaths and rushed him to a local hospital. Read Mark's heart explant story.
 Michael McFadden Michael McFadden, Heart Transplant Survivor
Michael's role as captain and paramedic at the Carlsbad Fire Department is important to him, especially considering the life-threatening health battle he had to fight recently. Read Michael's heart transplant story.

For More Information
To learn more about Sharp's Heart Transplant Program, please call 858-939-3831, Monday through Friday, 7 am to 4 pm. To learn more about Sharp's transplant services or to find a Sharp-affiliated doctor, search for a San Diego heart surgeon or call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277), Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. To find general information about transplant, visit Heart Transplantation in Adult Health or read the Transplant News archive.