What’s It Like to Wait for a Heart Transplant?

Looking down at his wrist at the multi-colored beads strung together that read “Papa,” Jack Clemons is brought to tears. He is a husband, a father to six and “Papa” to six grandchildren. To him, family is everything and he has so much to look forward to, so much still left to do, but right now, he’s waiting for a heart transplant. 

Jack is from Albertville, Minnesota and served in the Navy for seven years. His professional career spanned 36 years in Information Technology engineering and leadership roles. As a self-claimed avid sports fan, one of his treasured memories is taking part in a Twins fantasy camp in 2010. He enjoys the outdoors – from golf to hunting and fishing during the summer – and playing in a pool league, recreationally and competitively, during the winter. 

Previously healthy, something began to change. Jack vividly recalls lying down in bed, feeling like someone covered his nose and mouth – he couldn’t breathe. A few doctors’ visits later resulted in a diagnosis of congestive heart failure when he was just 48 years old.

Through medication, diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes (including kicking the smoking habit), Jack was able manage his condition until a year ago. And then, the conversation with his doctors changed: Jack needed a heart transplant.

In February 2023, the poor pumping function of his heart prompted his doctors at the University of Minnesota Medical Center to recommend that Jack receive a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to assist his failing heart, providing him with a bridge to transplant. 

“The doctors told me, if I was going to live to 80 or 90, it wasn’t going to be with this heart,” Jack said.

Jack is Counting On Us

While he waits for his transplant, Jack embraces every moment with positivity and determination; and finds new ways to stay active and engaged in his community. 

He recently completed the LifeSource Donate Life Ambassador training program. By sharing his perspective as someone on the waiting list, he hopes to inspire more people to register as an organ donor for a chance to save lives. Less than 1% of people who die will have this opportunity to donate organs.

That single fact is sobering when it’s you or a loved one waiting for a life-saving transplant.

“I was raised that we have an obligation to serve, to give to others; so, why would organ donation be any different? It’s about helping people.”  Jack Clemons

LifeSource exists for the thousands of people, like Jack, who are on the waiting list for an organ transplant. Our goal: Everyone who needs a transplant gets one.

How You Can Help

• Register your decision to be a donor on your license, or through the national registry.
• Share your decision with family and friends.
• Share this story, or other stories from the LifeSource blog.