ENGLEWOOD — Steven Bradley, a 63-year-old Florida resident, encourages others to live every day with gratitude.
He shared his story of survival with community members attending a recent Wellness Series event hosted by HCA Florida Englewood Hospital.
Thirty years ago, Steven was diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a thickening of the lower main pumping chamber of the heart (the left ventricle). He is a grateful heart recipient today, providing hope to other patients needing transplants.
In April 2022, he was placed on the transplant list for a heart. He spent four months wondering, “Am I sick enough to receive a heart transplant? Am I well enough to survive it?” His family has a history of HCM, and he lost one brother suddenly to the disease.
He remembers hearing, “Steve, there is nothing more we can do for you.”
At the event, Kristen Miranda, Senior Public Affairs Coordinator with LifeLink Foundation, Inc., spoke about the need for organ donor registration. Over 103,000 men, women, and children are on the National Transplant Waiting List.