Organ Donation: Both Sides of the Story.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — “Everyday I wake up and think, this is the day I wouldn’t of had,” says Steve Ford, heart recipient. This Valentine’s Day Steve Ford’s heart has a new beat. “Two-and-a-half years ago I was on my way out,” says Ford After a heart attack in 1996, stints and other operations, Ford was placed on the heart transplant list in April 2010. “My only option was a transplant,” says Ford Months later on July 4, his new heart arrived. “I’m probably one of the luckiest people alive,” says Ford Ford says life has changed a lot. “I don’t worry as much,” says Ford. But there is one thing he does want to do. “I look forward to the day when this individuals mother can hear his heart beat,” says Ford. Across town another mother stands with her husband, mourning, for their daily visit to their son’s grave. Jonathon Humphrey, II was killed by a drunk driver in December 2011. “Basically that’s the day that my heart stopped,” says Jon Humphrey At just seventeen the youngest of Jon and Anna Humphrey’s four children was gone. But a decision he made himself at a young age would change lives forever. “Everyday he is making a difference still,” says Humphrey. Jonathon was an organ donor. His father recalls the day he made his choice. “Daddy I want to be a donor too because I want to help somebody,” says Humphrey And through his choice he is doing just that. “A 32 year old man received Jonathon’s pancrease and right kidney,” says Humphrey Humphrey says because of that man and other, Jonathon lives on. “We might not have any of Jonathan’s grandchildren, but part of him is helping that man with his children,” says Humphrey For more on how you can become an organ donor, visit www.lifepoint-sc.org