Alumni parent Bob Goodman, father of Stephanie Goodman ‘11, visited Moorestown Friends School to speak with Upper School students about his experience as a heart transplant recipient.
He received his transplant in November 2013 and, after returning to good health, has been serving as an advocate for the American Heart Association (AHA), Penn Medicine, and Gift of Life Donor Program. He was a survivor speaker at the AHA’s 2014 South Jersey Heart Walk.
In addition to outlining the health issues over a seven-year period that resulted in his eventual heart transplant, Bob discussed the merits of organ donation with students. “There are 4,000 people in the U.S. awaiting a heart transplant and 130,000 awaiting some type of organ transplant.”
Bob’s wife Patti affirmed the fact that “one organ donor can save up to eight lives, and the same donor can also save or improve the lives of up to 50 people.”
An avid runner who has completed six marathons and 24 half-marathons in his lifetime, Bob urged students to live healthy lifestyles. “Be in shape. Take care of yourself. Eat well.” Bob has begun to race again and proudly informed the crowd that he ran the Broad Street Run yesterday, just 17 months removed from his heart transplant.
At the conclusion of Bob’s talk, Bob and Patti answered a number of questions on a wide range of topics.
Read more about Bob’s journey below:
Before and after transplant, intent on a normal life
Philadelphia Inquirer, March 28, 2014
Diagnosed in the Nick of Time – Bob’s Cardiac Sarcoidosis
Penn Medicine website, posted June 26, 2014
How My Priorities Changed After Heart Transplant
Penn Medicine website, posted October 8, 2014