In July 2026, Tom LeGrow celebrated an extraordinary milestone: 10 years with his new heart.

For Tom and his wife, Heather, the anniversary represents far more than a date on the calendar. It marks a decade of life made possible by organ donation, exceptional cardiac care and the many health care professionals who supported Tom through a journey that began more than 20 years ago.

It is also a decade Tom has spent giving back, helping others facing cardiac disease and becoming a dedicated volunteer, ambassador and member of the Health Care Foundation’s Row4Heart organizing committee.

When Everything Changed

Tom’s heart troubles first appeared in 2002. He wasn’t feeling well, had little energy and knew something wasn’t right.

Eventually, he learned that his heart was enlarged and not functioning properly. He was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition that causes the heart to become enlarged and weakened.

With the support of his cardiac physicians in St. John’s, a medication-based treatment plan was developed. Within five months, Tom was back at work.

For the next 13 years, he continued working with Newfoundland Power without missing a day because of his heart condition. He made lifestyle changes, remained under the care of his cardiac team and continued doing many of the things he enjoyed.

Then, in September 2015, everything changed.

Tom’s health deteriorated rapidly. By late November, when he arrived at the Health Sciences Centre for an appointment with his cardiologist, he could barely walk.

He was admitted to intensive care.

Tom was in end-stage heart failure.

“There were no other options,” Tom recalled.

His physician sat down with Tom and Heather and told them there was only one path forward: Tom needed to go to Ottawa for a heart transplant.

Less than a week later, he was flown by air ambulance to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.

Waiting for a New Heart

Tom and Heather relocated to Ottawa in December 2015, knowing they could be away from their home in Burin for as long as two years.

Before Tom could be placed on the transplant list, he first needed surgery to implant a pump that would help support his failing heart while he waited.

By January 6, he had recovered enough to officially join the transplant waiting list.

Then came the waiting.

Tom and Heather lived in an apartment on the hospital property and did their best to create a life away from home. Family and friends visited regularly, providing an important connection to Newfoundland and Labrador during some of their most difficult days.

“Family and friends get you over those tough humps,” Tom said. “When you know someone’s coming, you have something to look forward to.”

The average wait for a heart for someone with Tom’s blood type was approximately a year.

Tom would wait seven months.

The Call That Changed Everything

On July 30, 2016, Heather had returned to Newfoundland and Labrador for a visit while Tom remained in Ottawa.

At 11:10 that night, Tom’s phone rang.

There was a heart available.

“The knees just got weak,” he recalled.

Within 20 minutes, Tom was at the hospital. By 6 a.m., he was in surgery. Heather caught an early morning flight back to Ottawa and arrived just as her husband was being wheeled out following his transplant.

Twelve days later, Tom was out of hospital.

He had been given a second chance.

Tom later learned that his donor was a man in his thirties who had died following a traumatic injury. He was an ideal match.

The knowledge that his second chance came at a time of profound loss for another family has never been lost on him.

“I’ve been so fortunate that I’ve got to try to pass that along and try to help the process with regards to organ donation,” Tom said. “Anybody that I could help as a patient, I’m going to do what I can.”

Ten Years Later, Still Giving Back

Tom kept that promise.

In July 2026, he celebrated 10 years with his new heart: 10 years of additional memories, milestones and time with Heather, his family and friends.

Throughout those years, Tom has also become a passionate advocate for cardiac care and organ donation.

He has been an active member of the Health Care Foundation’s Row4Heart organizing committee and a dedicated volunteer and ambassador for the Foundation, sharing his experience to help others understand what exceptional cardiac care can make possible.

His story connects every part of the cardiac journey, from diagnosis and long-term management at home in Newfoundland and Labrador to end-stage heart failure, transplant and a lifetime of follow-up care.

It is also a story about what happens when someone who has been given a second chance chooses to give back.

Ten years after receiving his new heart, Tom continues to help strengthen cardiac care for the patients who will come after him.