Jack Hunt had a difficult 14 years. It started in 1992 when he was diagnosed with severe heart disease and told he only had a few months to live. He persevered until his condition finally became so bad that he couldn’t leave his home. In 2005, he got a pacemaker that his body rejected. He then had six cardiac arrests in one month and was in dire need of a heart transplant. Dr. Shahab Akhtar at University Hospital was ready when Jack’s donor match was found.

Within 12 hours of the surgery Jack was sitting up having lunch. Only months removed from barely being able to walk, Jack went out and started a mini-marathon team in honor of his donor, Kyle Hunlock. Jack thanks Kyle and his family for giving him a second chance, and he thanks University Hospital for making him living proof.