February 18, 2005

BIRMINGHAM, AL — When 64-year-old Carlos Whited was told he needed a heart transplant he know just who to turn to for advice and support — his son Keith received a new heart 10 years ago at the age of 34.

UAB heart transplant director James K. Kirklin says there’s little precedence for the Whiteds’ experience. “No one keeps records on this type event, but I’ve never heard of it. It’s most unusual because both transplants were necessitated by coincidence — by acquired illnesses, not by family history or genetics.”

Kirklin added that the Whiteds are also very lucky: About 6,000 people nationally are on the waiting list for a new heart, but only about 2,000 heart transplants are performed annually. “The odds of two members of a family both needing new hearts and actually receiving them must be extremely high.”

Carlos’ own heart was damaged by multiple heart attacks and he received a heart transplant at UAB by transplant surgeon David C. McGiffin on January 19. Keith received a transplant at Emory University due to a viral illness.

Doctors say Carlos Whited will be discharged from UAB Hospital today. The hospital has been performing heart transplants since 1981. Kirklin has directed the program for more than 20 years, and maintains a database for many of the nation’s largest pediatric and adult heart transplant programs.

After Carlos Whited’s longtime wife died suddenly four years ago, he moved into his son’s home in Center Point, Alabama, a Birmingham suburb. “As Dad’s heart failed, a heart transplant became his only option,” the younger Whited said. “At first he resisted the idea, but he could see me as an example of someone who was able to live a normal life after transplantation.”

His father said, “I warmed up to it. It was helpful knowing that Keith did well with the operation and I felt like I had a chance, too. I couldn’t have had a better coach. I’m much older than he was when he was transplanted, so I may not bounce back so quickly, but I am very pleased — my old heart was very weak, and my new heart is just rolling along great.”

Keith Whited said, “We both wake up every day and say a silent ‘thank you’ to our donor families for offering their loved ones’ organs to people they didn’t even know.”

For information on organ donation, call 1-800-252-3677 or visit the Alabama Organ Center at alabamaorgancenter.org/.