Heart recipient visits beach with donor family

DUPLIN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Anna Lewis is still mourning the loss of her son Greg Ricks who died in a car accident, but now a piece of him will always be with her.

His heart is still beating because it was donated to save another live.

“Meeting Greg and knowing my son’s heart is in a good place, I couldn’t ask for anybody better to have received it. It’s brought me a lot of comfort, a lot of comfort,” Lewis said.

Greg Robbins suffered a severe heart attack back in March of 2016 and doctors said that he needed to have a heart transplant.

Three weeks after being put on the donor list he received a call that there was a match.

“The doctors at Duke said they couldn’t have picked a better heart for me,” Robbins said.

A heart that already belonged to another Greg.

“Two Gregs, one hearts” Gwen Robbins, Greg Robbins wife said.

Six months after the transplant Lewis reached out to Robbins and they instantly had a connection.

“It was a real urgency on both of our parts to meet, and I just kind of feel like that was my Greg reaching out, because he knew I needed that comfort,” Lewis said.

When asked what Greg Robbins would say to Greg Ricks, no words could be enough to express his gratitude.

“Thank you, thank you, ’cause I wouldn’t be here today without you,” Robbins said.

Greg Robbins and his wife Gwen want to share how someone being a donor has impacted their lives.

“I can’t begin to tell you how this has touched our family and there have been so many other people that have said they are going to be organ donors now because of what happened with us and if our story can reach one person and save one life that we can be a part of, then it’s all worth it,” Gwen said.

If you would like more information on becoming an organ donor, click here.