An Ontario man whose life was saved with a heart transplant ran his first 10-kilometre race over the weekend with the father of the donor cheering him on.
John Dickhout was in his early 50s when he suffered a massive heart attack that left him so weak that he had difficulty walking up a flight of stairs.
Two years ago, 22-year-old Adam Prashaw of Kanata, Ont., died following a seizure. Soon after, Dickhout was in surgery receiving Prashaw鈥檚 heart.
Now that he鈥檚 gained strength, Dickhout wanted to show his appreciation to the Prashaw family by running a race near Prashaw鈥檚 hometown.
鈥淚 wanted to let my donor family know how much this gift meant to me and my family,鈥� Dickhout told CTV Ottawa.
Rick Prashaw, Adam鈥檚 father, gave Dickhout a big hug after he crossed the finish line, and told him that he was proud.
鈥淚t was just like watching my kid in a hockey game,鈥� Prashaw said with a smile.
Prashaw says that seeing Dickhout 鈥渏ust living and choosing life ... all because of Adam鈥檚 gift means the world to us.鈥�
He says that agreeing to donate his son鈥檚 heart 鈥渨as the easiest decision of the entire terrible weekend because we knew Adam鈥檚 wishes.鈥�
There were more than 1,500 people in Ontario on the wait list for an organ transplants as of Sunday, including about 35 waiting for hearts, reports the Ontarians can register to donate their organs at
With a report from CTV Ottawa
