A Buffalo man says he's thankful to be alive after receiving a heart transplant. 

Neil Wolfe received a heart transplant on September 2, 2018 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. Doctors say he is now in recovery and will make a full comeback from advanced heart failure.  Wolfe learned of his diagnosis one year ago. 

"I was tired, I was run down, but I didn't know I was sick,"  57 year old Wolfe recalls.

Doctors say Wolfe's heart was three times the normal size and a heart transplant was the only option to save his life. 

"This was the first time he had heard of the diagnosis so, it came as a shock to him," said Strong Transplant CardiologistDr. Himabindu Vidula, M.D.

Wolfe was placed at the top of the transplant list in August and got his new heart in September.

"Some people depending on their blood type wait a lot longer for a heart transplant, but Mr. Wolfe was someone who the stars aligned at the right time," added Dr. Vidula. 

Wolfe says he's thankful for another chance at life and to the individual who agreed to be an organ donor. 

"I would've liked to know this guy," said Wolfe. "Now I do know him, but he's a part of me. His heart is beating in my chest." 

Wolfe has been in contact with the family of his donor and hopes to meet them in person someday. 

Currently 9,000 people in New York are waiting for an organ donation, according to Strong.  Wolfe says he's working to create awareness about being an organ donor as an extension of his gratitude. 

"I don't know if there are enough words to say thank you enough," said Wolfe.

There are several ways to be added to the New York State Organ Donor Registry including through your local DMV, while registering to vote, while signing up with the New York State Health Exchange and through www.passlifeon.org.

Buffalo man alive and thriving after heart transplant
 
BUFFALO, NY -- A Buffalo man says he's thankful to be alive today after receiving a heart transplant. 
 
Neil Wolfe received a heart transplant on September 2, 2018 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York.
 
Doctors say he is now in recovery and will make a full comeback from advanced heart failure. 
 
Wolfe learned of his diagnosis one year ago. 
 
"I was tired, I was run down, but I didn't know I was sick,"  57 year old Wolfe recalls. 
 
Doctors say Wolfe's heart was three times the normal size and a heart transplant was the only option to save his life. 
 
 "This was the first time he had heard  of the diagnosis-- so, it came as a shock to him!," said University of Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital Transplant Cardiologist, Dr. Himabindu Vidula, M.D.
 
Wolfe was placed at the top of the transplant list in August and got his new heart in September.
 
"Some people depending on their blood type wait a lot longer for a heart transplant, but Mr. Wolfe was someone who the stars aligned at the right time," added Dr. Vidula. 
 
Wolfe says he's thankful for another chance at life and to the individual who agreed to be an organ donor. 
 
"I would've liked to know this guy," said Wolfe.  "Now I do know him, but he's apart of me. His heart is beating in my chest." 
 
Wolfe has been in contact with the family of his donor and hopes to meet them in person someday. 
 
Currently 9,000 people in New York are waiting for an organ donation, according to Strong Memorial. 
 
Wolfe says he's working to create awareness about being an organ donor as an extension of his gratitude. 
 
"I don't know if there are enough words to say thank you enough," said Wolfe.
 

There are several ways to be added to the New York State Organ Donor Registry including through your local DMV, while registering to vote, while signing up with the New York State Health Exchange and through  www.passiton.org

Buffalo man alive and thriving after heart transplant
 
BUFFALO, NY -- A Buffalo man says he's thankful to be alive today after receiving a heart transplant. 
 
Neil Wolfe received a heart transplant on September 2, 2018 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York.
 
Doctors say he is now in recovery and will make a full comeback from advanced heart failure. 
 
Wolfe learned of his diagnosis one year ago. 
 
"I was tired, I was run down, but I didn't know I was sick,"  57 year old Wolfe recalls. 
 
Doctors say Wolfe's heart was three times the normal size and a heart transplant was the only option to save his life. 
 
 "This was the first time he had heard  of the diagnosis-- so, it came as a shock to him!," said University of Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital Transplant Cardiologist, Dr. Himabindu Vidula, M.D.
 
Wolfe was placed at the top of the transplant list in August and got his new heart in September.
 
"Some people depending on their blood type wait a lot longer for a heart transplant, but Mr. Wolfe was someone who the stars aligned at the right time," added Dr. Vidula. 
 
Wolfe says he's thankful for another chance at life and to the individual who agreed to be an organ donor. 
 
"I would've liked to know this guy," said Wolfe.  "Now I do know him, but he's apart of me. His heart is beating in my chest." 
 
Wolfe has been in contact with the family of his donor and hopes to meet them in person someday. 
 
Currently 9,000 people in New York are waiting for an organ donation, according to Strong Memorial. 
 
Wolfe says he's working to create awareness about being an organ donor as an extension of his gratitude. 
 
"I don't know if there are enough words to say thank you enough," said Wolfe.
 

There are several ways to be added to the New York State Organ Donor Registry including through your local DMV, while registering to vote, while signing up with the New York State Health Exchange and through  www.passiton.org