By Mauricio Julian Cuellar Jr.

Alice Echo-News Journal

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Local dentist Dr. A.J. Naugher knows what it means to receive a precious gift. Ten years ago, after four long years of waiting on the National Transplant Waiting List, Naugher received a new heart. Although he’s never met the family of his donor, Naugher said he will always be honored and grateful for the second chance at life.

Naugher shared his experience with the Red Hat Society, also known as the “Prissy Chicks,” this weekend during a special luncheon at Danny’s Restaurant. Red Hat member Sandra Burk, her husband a fellow heart transplant recipient 16 years ago, organized the event.

“There are over 100,000 people on the national waiting list, in need of hearts, livers, kidneys, and other items,” Burk said. “In Texas alone there are 8,700 people on the list as of this month. One person can give the gift of life to over 50 people.”   Naugher said his experience with organ donation was beyond belief.  “It was like receiving a reprieve,” Naugher said. “It’s just beyond conception how much we appreciate what we’ve been given. It’s just a gift.” 

The average survival rate for heart transplants is 10 years, Naugher said, though many recipients live for 20 to 25 years or longer.

Naugher said old time attitudes are what’s keeping more people from signing up for organ donation.

“Of course it’s a very personal thing. Many people think that by going though the donation process they’re somehow violated after death, when that’s not the case,” Naugher said.

Naugher said he has noticed a significant change in his attitude since the transplant. He said he doesn’t get as excited about the little things going on around him quite as much as he used to.

“I just appreciate more what we have around us, the people we have around us,” Naugher said.