In 1989, 45-year-old Donald Arthur was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle. Seven years later, Donald underwent a heart transplant. Only 15 months after his transplant, Donald ran the first of nine New York City Marathons, with his donor’s brother running alongside him in 1999. Donald has run 40 marathons in 31 states with a goal of running in all 50 states. “Competing in marathons is my way of saying ‘thank you’ to donor families for the gifts they have given, to encourage others to sign up to donate, and to show people that after receiving a transplant, I am able to experience a normal and active life.”

Donald's Story

In 1989, 45-year-old Donald Arthur was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle. Six years later, suffering from fatigue and breathlessness, he was placed on the transplant list. A year later, he was in danger of dying within six months if a new heart could not be found.

On August 2, 1996, Donald received his transplant at New York’s Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. About two years later, as he recalled with affection, “I was blessed to meet my donor family.” His relationship with them remains very close.

Only 15 months after his transplant, Donald ran the first of nine New York City Marathons. In 1999, his donor’s brother ran alongside him, and at race’s end his donor’s mother gave both of them medals.

In all, Donald has run 41 marathons in 32 states with the goal of running the 26.2-mile races in all 50 states. “Competing in marathons is my way of saying ‘thank you’ to donor families for the gifts they have given, to encourage others to sign up to donate, and to show people that after receiving a transplant, I am able to experience a normal and active life,” he added.

One of Donald’s greatest running experiences was carrying the Olympic touch through the streets of Queens on its journey to the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games. He shared this honor with the critical care unit of Columbia Presbyterian in gratitude to the nurses who took care of him after his transplant.

Donald, now 66 and a retired bookkeeper, volunteers for the New York Organ Donor Network, is a board member and co-founder of Transplant Speakers International, and is on the advisory board of the Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program. He regularly visits local high schools to give student presentations on organ and tissue donor awareness.

“I explain how important it is to consider organ donation by telling how a transplant saved my life,” Donald said. “I believe that God kept me here for a purpose: to help save lives. I hope that my efforts and achievements will also honor the countless numbers of donor families – for they are the true heroes of organ and tissue donation.”