Heart transplant brings two families together

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – April is national donate life month and it’s a special month for two complete strangers who are now connected for life because of one heart.

David Barber was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in 2015.

He tried different treatments, but in the end he needed a heart transplant.

In August 2018, he found out there was a heart for him.

“It’s exciting, scary, and at the same time you know some other family has gone through the biggest tragedy of their lives,” said David Barber.

His new heart came from 21 year old, Matthew Bishop.

A few days after the transplant, Barber reached out to the Bishop family with a letter and shortly after that they met.

“I know that my son’s spirit is with us and I really feel good about that,” said Dewey Bishop, Matthew’s father.

Now, David says he’s active and is training for a half marathon.

According to UK Healthcare, there’s more than a thousand people in Kentucky waiting for an organ transplant.

About twenty people every day die in the US while waiting for an organ transplant.