Before undergoing surgery for a routine ear procedure in November 2021, Matt Alford’s doctor wanted the 35-year-old father to have a pre-surgery physical. Concerns about anesthesia and a potential hereditary heart condition that his mother had led his doctor to take the extra precaution.
Despite being evaluated for a congenital heart defect as a child, and asymptomatic growing up, tests revealed Matt did indeed have a heart valve that needed to be repaired without delay.
“It was a big shock to us that he would need surgery to repair it,” says his wife, Katie Alford.
Matt, a farmer from south central Minnesota, hoped that he could get past the spring planting season and have surgery that summer. However, doctors were not comfortable delaying surgery due to the severity of his condition.
blood transfusion. (Photo submitted)
On March 22, 2022, Matt, underwent bicuspid aortic valve replacement surgery. Following surgery, Matt’s condition deteriorated quickly due to excessive blood loss and doctors were concerned his vital organs were in jeopardy. He received two units of blood that evening and was closely monitored by doctors until his condition stabilized.Â
The following days Matt was terribly weak and tired. Four days post-op he needed an additional blood transfusion for symptomatic anemia to give him the strength his body needed to recover.
Katie an avid blood donor herself, recalls thinking “wow, I’m actually going to see how all of this works!”
Within a couple of hours Katie could visually see the difference. “I kid you not – he went for a walk for his therapy and the staff had to hold him back from walking further!”
(Photo submitted)
Matt was discharged from the hospital just five days after surgery and was able to walk out to the car on his own. “We were concerned about the kids bumping him too much and forgetting that daddy was still recovering,” says Katie. So, Matt spent the next three weeks rehabbing at Katie’s grandparent’s house who were away for the winter months in a warmer climate.
Matt is grateful to be alive and currently has no physical restrictions. “Without the generosity of blood donors, Matt might not be here to be a husband, and father to our three children,” says Katie. “We are so thankful for God’s provision throughout his whole journey and are forever indebted to the doctors, nurses, and blood donors who all have forever impacted our lives.”
“I’ve witnessed how blood has made a difference,” says Katie. “I started donating blood in high school because my grandfather needed it while being treated for leukemia. It gave us more time with him – and now, it helped save my husband’s life!”
The Alfords are both motivated to help pay it forward. “This is something near and dear to our hearts,” says Katie, who is organizing a blood drive in her community. Although blood donation wasn’t on Matt’s radar before his heart surgery, he has since become a donor and will be making his second blood donation at Katie’s blood drive.
“In my case having blood on the shelves was the difference between
– Matt Alford, blood recipient
life and death.”
“In my case having blood on the shelves was the difference between life and death,” says Matt. “We’re all busy but taking a small amount of time to donate is an incredible way to really change someone’s life – like someone did for me.”
Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. The American Red Cross must collect enough blood and platelets every day to meet the needs of mothers experiencing complications following childbirth; premature babies; accident, trauma and burn victims; heart surgery and organ transplant patients; and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell diseases.
You can make a lifesaving difference by donating blood. Make an appointment to give blood or platelets now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Story by Minnesota and Dakotas communications manager Sue Thesenga
American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region 