In early 2000, Steve Bond's incessant cough motivated him to see his doctor. When it became clear the problem wasn't with his lungs, he was soon placed on the transplant list. His health grew drastically worse over the next four years. Finally, on July 18, 2004, he received a donated heart. Since then, he has met and visits often with the mother of his donor, 17-year-old Mike Roman Reyes.

Steve's Story

In early 2000, Steve Bond’s incessant cough motivated him to see his doctor. When it became clear the problem wasn’t with his lungs but rather his heart, he was soon placed on the transplant list.

During his four years and three months on the transplant list, Steve’s health grew drastically worse. Finally, on July 18, 2004, at the age of 45, he received the call that would save his life: a perfectly matched heart had been donated and he was at the top of the list. The morning after his transplant, Steve was up and eating Jell-O.

Steve and his wife, Linda, spent two months in Tucson, while he recovered and grew stronger. Linda was amazed how much Steve enjoyed life, visiting Colossal Cave, Kartchner Caverns, Sabino Canyon and other sights in the area.

One year after his transplant, Steve met Lupita LeBario, the mother of his donor, Mike Roman Reyes, a 17-year old who died following an ATV accident. Steve, now 50 and employed a local grocery chain, visits Roman’s mother in Phoenix quite often.

“When he walks in the door,” Lupita said, “I feel like it’s my son walking in.”