After a nomadic, military-family childhood, Jason Burruel and his parents put down roots in the Valley in 1981, and he started high school.

Fast forward to April 2016—married with two children—Burruel previously had a quadruple bypass, but it wasn’t enough. Doctors said he needed a new heart. The fear of his children growing up without him was a thought Burruel couldn’t bear.

After eight months on the waiting list, taking medication and hoping for a second chance, he got a Christmas miracle. Doctors prepped him for transplantation Christmas Eve 2016.

 

“It was the greatest gift I could ever be given,” Burruel says. “Even though I don’t know who my donor family is, I cannot say thank you enough. All I can do is take care of my new heart and live life to the fullest. In your honor.”

 

Following Burruel’s recovery phase post-transplant, he can play golf again, see his children graduate from college and continue to be a father and husband to his family. “Thank you, donor family. I want you to know the decision you made that holiday season changed our lives.”