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87-year-old Willie Buchanan of Oklahoma City will celebrate the 30th anniversary of his heart transplant on Sept. 4, 2025. He is truly thankful for the thirty extra years of life he has been so graciously given. “For the last thirty years, I have woken up every day with someone else’s heart,” says Willie. “It makes me emotional to think someone had to die for me to live.” But what a life he has lived. Willie believes living a good and full life is the only way to honor his donor and to be worthy of the amazing gift he received.

His Heart History

When Willie was just 40 years old, he suffered two massive heart attacks, 25 minutes apart. Miraculously he survived but would need open heart surgery two years later. After that, he coasted along with no real issues until he was encouraged to get a defibrillator - a device that monitors for abnormalities and shocks the heart back into a normal rhythm when necessary. His health began to deteriorate, finally reaching the point that a heart transplant was his only option.

“I was put on the heart transplant list on July 21st and I received my new heart on September 4th, 1995,” he proudly proclaims. “I was only 57 years old at the time and never imagined I would still be alive some thirty years later.”

His Heart Transplant

Willie’s transplant took place at the Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute at INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center.

Jeffrey Sparling, M.D., is the medical director of the INTEGRIS Health Heart Hospital today. He did not treat Willie Buchanan but says this type of longevity after a heart transplant is definitely achievable. “Mr. Buchanan’s post-transplant journey has been nothing short of awe-inspiring, and we are all proud to be a part of it,” says Sparling. “His life since his transplant truly brings to life the mission of INTEGRIS Health and the INTEGRIS Health Heart Hospital: Partnering with people to live healthier lives. Willie’s life reminds us that our mission extends far beyond the time of transplant, lasting months, years and in his case, three decades and counting! We wish him many more anniversaries to come.”

Honoring His Donor

Willie says thanks to God, his physicians and his donor – he was able to live a great life with many adventures. He and his wife, Betty, were married for 40 years and raised nine children and 19 grandchildren. She passed away two years ago, and Willie says she was the love of his life. He has written a book and continues to tell his story to promote organ donation and to celebrate the life of his donor who made all of this possible.

Oklahomans have three options to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor. Residents can sign-up when renewing their driver’s license, visit LifeShareRegistry.org to sign up online or call 800-826-LIFE (5433) and request a donor registration form.