Local Man Finally Gets Long-Awaited, Life-Saving Heart Transplant

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- KDKA has been following a local man who needs a heart transplant for more than three years now.

On Monday, he got the call he has been waiting for. Moses Hart was taken into surgery Tuesday afternoon at Allegheny General Hospital.

"I'm finally getting my heart," he said before going into the operating room.

This isn't the first time Moses said those words. About a year ago he got that long-awaited call only to be told the donor heart was not healthy enough.

A heart pump connected to his own heart kept the 53-year-old alive, but Moses is ready to say goodbye to the device.

"Audios, see you later, hope I never have to see you again," he said. "But it kept me alive for over four years."

Moses got the call Monday afternoon that a donor had been found.

"I'm terrified, but nervous, but good, and they told me not to run over this time," said Moses.

KDKA's Brenda Waters: "Last time, you ran over and got here before the doctors."

Moses: "They told me not to run over here."

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Moses was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, which means his heart doesn't pump enough blood. His family has been his backbone through all of this, especially his wife, Donna.

They told each other "I love you," before Moses was wheeled into surgery.

Transplant surgeon, Dr. Stephen Bailey is predicting better days ahead for Moses.

"It's a very good heart; young heart, all the testing was perfect," Dr. Bailey said. "The donor was involved in a trauma. You should be good."

With that said, it was time to go. Moses told his family he would see them later.

And left them on this note: "2018, the transplant Olympics," he said. "I'm gonna be in it."

UPDATE: Moses' surgeon says the surgery was a success. The new heart started beating right away and that Moses is recovering well.