PHOENIX, ARIZONA: Colin Judd is a 53-year-old individual who underwent a life-altering experience due to congestive heart failure.

Colin Judd’s harrowing ordeal began with what he thought was a common cold. Yet, as weeks passed, his breath grew shallow, and his mobility dwindled.

"It progressed to the point where I couldn't walk more than just a few feet without being out of breath," Judd recounted.

A harrowing decision and an urgent realization

The 53-year-old made the difficult decision to leave his job as a light rail operator due to his worsening condition.

Finally, recognizing the severity of his symptoms, he sought help in the emergency room, initially assuming a simple solution awaited him.

"I thought I’d be in and out with an inhaler or some medication," Judd admitted.

Doctors diagnosed him with congestive heart failure, emphasizing that had he delayed seeking medical attention any longer, the consequences could have been fatal.

"It's like your whole world crashing around you. You find out you're about to die," Judd recalled.

Admitted to Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix for over two months, Judd awaited a new heart. His hope, while unwavering, was tempered by the reality of the long wait ahead.

Overcoming odds in the quest for a new heart

Dr Francisco Arabia, overseeing the Advanced Heart Failure Program, highlighted the stark statistics: annually, around 6,500 people wait for a new heart, but only 3,000 receive the life-saving organ.

Amidst uncertainty, Judd received the call every transplant candidate hopes for—a heart had become available. Surgery was imminent.

"It was like, 'Oh, wow!' I was scared and excited at the same time," Judd described the rollercoaster of emotions upon hearing the news.

A successful four-hour surgery followed, marking a turning point in Judd’s arduous journey. For the first time in months, he returned home, feeling the strength return to his body each passing day.

"I'm getting stronger every day and I actually get a little stir crazy sitting at home," Judd shared, his gratitude palpable for the newfound lease of life.

Acknowledging the medical team's pivotal role in his recovery, Judd also expressed immense gratitude to the donor and their family for the ultimate gift—their loved one's heart.

"I would certainly tell them 'thank you. Thank you for the gift of life,'" Judd said.

Judd's story marks a milestone for Banner University Medical Center, contributing to the 100 successful heart transplant surgeries performed in the past three years.