Urbandale Heart Recipient Hopes to Give Back During Donate Life Month

Jim Taylor, a heart transplant recipient from Urbandale, is using his story to inspire others to become organ donors, especially during Donate Life Month. After suffering from heart failure for years, Taylor received a life-saving heart transplant in 2021. The experience drastically improved his health, and he feels profoundly grateful, especially knowing the heart came from an 18-year-old donor named Kennedy Bell.

The bond between Taylor and Bell’s family has been incredibly meaningful, and Taylor now volunteers with the Iowa Donor Network. He emphasizes the importance of organ donation, noting how checking the donor box can significantly impact others’ lives.

Currently, about 1.6 million Iowans are registered donors, representing half the state’s population, but there remains a substantial need, with 617 Iowans awaiting organ transplants. The Iowa Donor Network also honors donors and their families, helping them through their grief by showcasing the enduring legacy of their loved ones.


Transplant News
Transplant News

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