Gary Blinn

In his recently published book, Gary Blinn recounts the year he was engaged in river warfare in Vietnam. The book, "Confession to a Deaf God," was sent to the staff and coordinators of Mayo Clinic's transplant center. His 1992 New York City Marathon medal sits on display in the cardiovascular unit of Saint Marys Hospital. Without a lifesaving heart transplant in 1990, Blinn wouldn't have completed the marathon or the book, an intimate portrait of his struggles as a naval officer in combat.

Overcoming struggles

"Vietnam wasn't the only struggle in my life," explains Blinn, the 58-year-old chairman of Norfolk Beverage Company in Nebraska. "Back in 1989, I began struggling to catch my breath while jogging. I felt tired and weak." Subsequently, Blinn was seen at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a condition that attacks and destroys the heart. "It's a strange and random disease," says Blinn, "for which there isn't a cure, except for a heart transplant. Suddenly facing a failing heart in your mid-40s is scary."

After waiting several months for a suitable organ and following a successful transplant, Blinn became more active than ever. "I work a full-time job and my distribution company was recently named Nebraska's 'Business of the Year' by the Small Business Administration," he says.

Blinn runs for exercise, competes in marathons, climbs rocks, skis downhill and plans to go on an archaeological dig and take an underwater photography course. "And in my spare time I give testimonials about the tremendous benefits of organ donation and lobby for my industry in Washington, D.C.," he says.

Blinn and his wife raised one of their child and a nephew who tragically lost both parents. "We were able to guide our nephew through high school, put him through college and he's now serving in the Peace Corps," he says. "If I hadn't been healthy, we couldn't have taken him in," says Blinn.

Advancing treatment

"It's unknown why Mr. Blinn developed cardiomyopathy," says Christopher McGregor, M.D., director of the William J. von Liebig Transplant Center and Blinn's transplant surgeon at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. "At his age and the condition of his heart, a transplant was the only option for survival," says Dr. McGregor. Mayo Clinic's transplant programs have grown significantly over the 14 years since Blinn received his new heart.

"The volume of transplants and our knowledge about transplantion have increased, resulting in improved survival rates," explains Dr. McGregor. "In addition, research has transformed the outlook for cardiomyopathy with the use of beta-blockers and ace inhibitor. Our research team is actively searching for non-transplant options to heart disease."

"Most patients live 10 years or more post-transplant, but Mr. Blinn has done exceptionally well," Dr. McGregor notes. "The rate of complications such as rejection and infection is highest early after transplant and decreases over time. Mr. Blinn's dedication to taking care of his body and mind has undoubtedly enhanced the quality and duration of his life following his heart transplant."

Mayo Clinic also is performing research in xenotransplanation — the use of animal organs – to solve organ donor challenges. "There will never be enough human hearts to satisfy the patient need," says Dr. McGregor. As many as 25 percent of potential recipients will die before a suitable donor organ becomes available. "Mr. Blinn was very fortunate to have waited only five months for a compatible donor heart. It would be wonderful to offer a patient a second chance at life without another person having to die to accomplish that."

The beat goes on

The growth of Mayo Clinic's transplant program is impressive. Three heart transplants were performed in 1988 when the program began and in 2003, there were 21. And more noteworthy than a two-year survival rate that exceeds 90 percent is that most heart transplant patients resume their preferred lifestyle, returning to employment and actively participating in sports or other physical activity. Since the program's inception at Mayo Clinic in Rochester in 1988, nearly 300 heart transplants have been performed.

Just as Blinn's new heart gave him life, he offers his new heart to life. His day-to-day activities envelope a spirit, mind and body dedicated to maximizing life each day, which includes work, community service and rigorous physical activity. Blinn recently acquired an English bull terrier, which he and his wife enjoy walking every day. "His name is Argo, which is probably the oldest dog name in history. Argo was the name of Ulysses' (aka Odysseus) dog, which faithfully waited for him during the Trojan War and his 10-year odyssey returning," notes Blinn.

For Blinn, as the beat of his second heart goes on, he reaps joy from life and gives back whenever he can. "Writing my book was therapeutic for me, but I also intended it to be a gift of understanding for others who went through combat or wanted to better understand those who did," explains Blinn.

Blinn says he feels obligated to speak to groups on the importance of organ donation. "I also met with legislators to discuss how to get donor information to show up more prominently on the driver's license," he says. "I owe so much to the medical community and to the families of donors. What I've done is a tiny price to pay for the second chance at life I've received."

In addition, each year through an anonymous channel, Blinn writes to the family whose loved one's heart he was given. "I thank them for the gift of life and assure them I am living each day to the fullest. The day I pen that letter is really the anniversary of my new life."

"The way I see it, the past 14 years of my life have been a huge bonus," says Blinn. "I wouldn't have had those years or the time to which I'm looking forward, without my new heart."