The American Spirit: Ironman First

Kyle Garlett to Become First Heart Transplant Recipient to Attempt an Ironman Triathlon

(CBS)  Kyle Garlett is 38 years old, but his life started all over again exactly three years ago this Saturday. That's when he got a new heart after being on a transplant waiting list for five years.

"After having a weak heart for such a long time, I forgot that I couldn't feel my heart beating," said Garlett. "And all of a sudden, there is just this loud thumping going on in my chest. Just dum, dum, dum."

This weekend he will put every beat of that new heart to work - running more than 26 miles, swimming 2.4 miles, and riding 112 miles in the Ironman Triathlon World Championships in Hawaii.

Kyle Garlett's Website
Official Ironman Website

"I asked my doctor if I could do an Ironman," said Garlett. "And his first response was, 'are you crazy?' And-- and I responded, 'well, maybe. But can I do it?'"

"I thought about it for awhile and thought 'hmmmm, this may be very interesting,'" said Dr. Jon Kobashagawa, a transplant cardiologist.

Particularly interesting because no heart transplant recipient has ever before attempted an Ironman triathlon. But Kyle figures it'll be easy - compared to the other things he's survived.

Garlett said, "In my early 20s, I was convinced that I would never live to be 30. I just knew that the cancer was gonna take me."

By the time he was 25 he had been diagnosed with cancer four times. Once with leukemia, three times with Hodgkins lymphoma. He underwent years of chemotherapy radiation, and a bone marrow transplant.

"During my bone marrow transplant, you know, there were nights where I was afraid to fall asleep because I really didn't think I had the strength in my body to wake up the next morning," he said.

He needed the heart transplant because the side effects of chemotherapy ruined his heart - damaged his joints too.

"I have an artificial hip. I have an artificial shoulder. I've got a series of wires that were put in my sternum post heart transplant," said Garlett.

"Are you the luckiest guy on earth or the unluckiest guy on earth," asked Blackstone.

Garlett replied, "I'm for sure the luckiest guy on earth. It's been 20 years since I was first diagnosed with cancer. And here i am alive."

More than alive, he's thriving. And while it's his own courage that is carrying him into the Ironman competition. He never forgets that another man's heart is making it possible.

"I don't know him or his family," Garlett said. "I just know that they gave me the greatest gift I could possibly ask for."

He's determined to use that gift to its fullest.

[sam-kiley]

bonjour

par ZviC Octobre 10, 2009 2:00 AM EDT
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Being a donor is the ultimate gift- the gift of life.

je suis d'accord...trés belle déduction..
j'ai vu le reportage, je dois avouer que je suis restée sans paroles,
nul ne peut ressentir ce qu'il est entrain de vivre, il est courageux et téméraire surtout aprés ce qu'il a vécu, je lui souhaite une belle et longue vie et une bonnesanté, il l'a bien mérité "kyle"..ça reflete l'esprit de combativité de l'américain typique, ..gardez l'espoir et refuser l'echec sont de trés belles qualités...au revoir

[LIFESHARERS]

Kyle Garlett was very lucky to get a Heart transplant. Over half of the 100,000 Americans on the national waiting list will die before they get a transplant. Most of these deaths are needless. Americans bury or cremate 20,000 transplantable organs every year.

There is a simple way to put a big dent in the organ shortage ? give donated organs first to people who have agreed to donate their own organs when they die.

Giving organs first to organ donors will convince more people to register as organ donors. It will also make the organ allocation system fairer. People who aren't prepared to share the gift of life should go to the back of the transplant waiting list as long as there is a shortage of organs.

Anyone who wants to donate their organs to others who have agreed to donate theirs can join LifeSharers. LifeSharers is a non-profit network of organ donors who agree to offer their organs first to other organ donors when they die. Membership is free at www.lifesharers.org or by calling 1-888-ORGAN88. There is no age limit, parents can enroll their minor children, and no one is excluded due to any pre-existing medical condition. LifeSharers has over 13,000 members, including 719 members in New York.

Please contact me - Dave Undis, Executive Director of LifeSharers - if your viewers would like to learn more about our innovative approach to increasing the number of organ donors. I can arrange interviews with some of our local members if you're interested. My email address is [e-mail]. My phone number is 615-351-8622.

[ZviC]

Great story! So inspiring! Kyle has overcome, persevered and given back. He is making a difference in our world. Thanks for sharing this wonderful message of drive, ambition, hope and life.
Being a donor is the ultimate gift- the gift of life.

[AbdurraheemS]

It is nice to see such a story on the news given all the craziness going on in our society. Keep these type stories coming. I wish Kyle all the success in his endeavor.