Natrona County DA speaks about his heart transplant

Natrona County DA and heart recipient Mike Blonigen. Photo courtesy of Casper Star Tribune

Natrona County, Wyoming District Attorney Michael Blonigen is ready to speak about the life-saving gift he received last fall. Suffering from multiple heart complications after undergoing bypass surgery, stints and even a pacemaker, Blonigen was told by his doctors that his heart was only working at 10% capacity and that he would need a life-saving heart transplant. In October, 2015 Mike was airlifted to the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora where he received the gift that saved his life. “Somewhere out there … is a young man’s family and they did a remarkable thing and I’m trying to repay that a little bit,” Blonigen told the Casper Star Tribune. “If you’ve been lucky enough as I have to be on the receiving end, I think you really owe it to those people to speak up and encourage organ donation.” Blonigen will be taking part in a special tree planting ceremony to honor his donor in Casper on April 29th. Click here to read the full interview from the Casper Star Tribune.