Draheim, 42, the most recent recipient, said he didn't know how sick he had become over 11 years of heart failure until he got a new heart and started feeling better. He had worsened to the point where doctors implanted a left ventricular assist device, which he had for 54 days, before receiving a heart. He and his wife, Teresa, are looking forward to seeing their new grandbaby, who lives in California, this summer.

The fact that Shepard, 39, wasn't able to attend says a lot about how well he's done since he became the program's first transplant recipient, when he was 16: He lives in Kemmerer, Wyo., and had to work. He's employed by a maintenance contractor for Exxon Mobil. He married 11 years ago and has two sons, ages 9 and 7.

"I feel good most of the time," he told the Deseret News by phone. "It's not a battle to stay healthy for me. It's been a good deal."

Both Dr. Melanie Everitt, medical director of Primary's pediatric heart failure program, and Dr. Josef Stehlik, medical director of the Salt Lake VA heart transplant program, praised the donor families who have, in a time of tragedy and loss, chosen to give the heart of a loved one to save a life.

Hill, 21, who is going to college and has served an LDS Church mission since his transplant, said it all: "I haven't met my donor family, but I love them very much."

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E-mail: lois@desnews.com