{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"79 Dan Leite - Improving His Own Corner of the World with a New Heart","description":"Dan Leite is a long-time runner, multiple marathon and IRONMAN triathlon finisher, and recipient of a heart transplant recipient in 2015. His symptoms began in 2011 at the peak of his running and his condition, although treated with medication, continued to deteriorate until he was granted the ultimate gift in December 2015. His life ultimately was saved by the heart of a stranger, but the impact remains far-reaching. Today, we discuss: The onset of his symptoms Why it\u2019s so important to be an advocate for your own health The gratitude he feels towards his donor and the medical team who saved his life Why he wanted to return to \u201cnormalcy," which included more marathons What he\u2019s doing now to give back The great news? Dan still runs regularly and has completed a couple of marathons since his transplant. He\u2019s also the Chairman of the Board of the Nationwide Children\u2019s Hospital Columbus Marathon and will be running the half distance this October. He and his family created a fund for ongoing research and support for transplant recipients, donors, and their families. It's called \u201cRita\u2019s Corner of the World Fund\u201d named after his Mother.  He writes: The fund\u2019s namesake is a direct result of a conversation I had with her many years ago, when she reminded me that people do not always have to do large acts of kindness to change the world. Mom said that \u201csometimes we all need to just focus on improving our own little corners of the world. If many people can do that, just think of how many corners we can assemble to create an amazing mosaic and a better world.\u201d Rita\u2019s Corner of the World Fund is our small attempt to give back to the very large community that saved my life. It is meant to honor heart donors and their families, health care and hospital caregivers at all levels and those waiting on transplant lists. It is our hope that this fund will provide both needed patient services to heart transplant recipients at Ohio State along with funding to conduct crucial breakthrough research in organ transplantation. In dreaming a little, wouldn\u2019t it be amazing if our new fund could help provide the needed resources that create \u201ca new little corner of the world\u201d through research discoveries that allow all transplant recipients to receive their \u201cmiracle call\u201d and have a second chance at life with their families?   Episode Resources Runners World article on Dan Rita's Corner of the World Fund "I Could Never Do That" Website Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) Support this Podcast https:\/\/www.buymeacoffee.com\/CarrieBarrett    ","author_name":"I Could Never Do That","author_url":"https:\/\/www.podpage.com\/i-could-never-do-that\/","html":"