It's the gift of life. To some Indiana residents, it's more than a slogan... it's what keeps them alive. Now one Hoosier is getting the opportunity to take that gift to California.
Fox59
Indianapolis — It's the gift of life. To some Indiana residents, it's more than a slogan... it's what keeps them alive. Now one Hoosier is getting the opportunity to take that gift to California.
"I was in total shock," said Carl Drury.
Shock that this otherwise healthy 47-year-old businessman would need a heart transplant.
"I couldn't believe someone who had run every day and someone who had worked out all the time could get heart disease," he said.
At the age of 40, Carl thought he could save himself from what was at the time, a death sentence. He was in denial, even though heart disease and the need for transplants ran in his family.
"My uncle had a transplant when he was 40, he's 65 now. And his son, who is my cousin, had a transplant about 10 years ago," said Carl.
Now, almost seven years after his sudden transplant, Carl is getting another gift: a trip to California. He will be representing Indiana in the "Tournament of Roses" parade to represent people like Becky Miller's brother.
He lost his life shortly after he attended the parade in 1997. Miller's brother, Mark, was an organ donor.
"My brother was definitely a giver. We weren't sure if he was an organ donor when we were at the hospital but we thought that was something he would want to do," said Becky.
When Carl arrives in California, he will place roses dedicated to Hoosier donors and recipients on the floa which will be seen in more than 51 million homes.
"This will increase awareness and help people realize that they can sign up easily to become an organ donor," explained Becky.
There are currently more than 1300 Hoosiers in need of a life-saving organ transplant.
Indianapolis — It's the gift of life. To some Indiana residents, it's more than a slogan... it's what keeps them alive. Now one Hoosier is getting the opportunity to take that gift to California.
"I was in total shock," said Carl Drury.
Shock that this otherwise healthy 47-year-old businessman would need a heart transplant.
"I couldn't believe someone who had run every day and someone who had worked out all the time could get heart disease," he said.
At the age of 40, Carl thought he could save himself from what was at the time, a death sentence. He was in denial, even though heart disease and the need for transplants ran in his family.
"My uncle had a transplant when he was 40, he's 65 now. And his son, who is my cousin, had a transplant about 10 years ago," said Carl.
Now, almost seven years after his sudden transplant, Carl is getting another gift: a trip to California. He will be representing Indiana in the "Tournament of Roses" parade to represent people like Becky Miller's brother.
He lost his life shortly after he attended the parade in 1997. Miller's brother, Mark, was an organ donor.
"My brother was definitely a giver. We weren't sure if he was an organ donor when we were at the hospital but we thought that was something he would want to do," said Becky.
When Carl arrives in California, he will place roses dedicated to Hoosier donors and recipients on the floa which will be seen in more than 51 million homes.
"This will increase awareness and help people realize that they can sign up easily to become an organ donor," explained Becky.
There are currently more than 1300 Hoosiers in need of a life-saving organ transplant.
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