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Jack Lawrence’s fight for survival began several years before he received his heart transplant. In 2011, his older brother, Sam, died suddenly at 16 years old from undiagnosed dilated cardiomyopathy, a heart condition that weakens the heart muscle. Following Sam’s death, Jack was tested for and diagnosed with the same condition. Soon after, he received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), a device designed to prevent cardiac arrest.
By 2022, while living in St. George, Jack’s heart function had declined further, and he was airlifted to the Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City. The Intermountain team determined he would need a heart transplant and discharged him with instructions to get in contact with the University of Utah’s heart transplant team. Back in St. George, he experienced a dangerous ventricular tachycardia storm, going in and out of consciousness as his ICD intervened. He was then airlifted to the University of Utah Hospital where he was placed on a ventilator and received an intra-aortic balloon pump, a device that helps the heart pump blood, while waiting for a donor heart. Eliza Lawrence, Jack’s wife, shared that it was a miracle they only had to wait five days to receive a donor heart since this process can involve a very long wait for many.
After Jack’s transplant, he and Eliza learned how critical blood donors had been to his care. “We didn’t even know until after surgery that Jack had needed blood, and none of it would’ve been possible without donor blood,” Eliza recalled. “Sometimes it’s hard to realize the magnitude of things in the moment, but it made all the difference to us when we realized it after the fact.”
Inspired to give back, Eliza signed up for the national organ donor registry, but she also wanted to make a difference right away. “Donating blood is a simple act that can have an immediate impact,” she said. “Giving 30 minutes of your day can literally give life to someone else.” Her motivation comes from her gratitude for others and the desire to pay it forward. “I want to give life back into the community the way my husband received it.”
The Lawrence family has seen this spirit of giving ripple outward. Their extended family members have become more involved in donating blood, scheduling appointments, and even hosting blood drives to raise awareness and serve their communities. Eliza reflected on all of the people who could be impacted by these donations: “I think about the husbands and wives waiting for their spouses to come home, and the mothers and fathers whose children are in the hospital. Not all blood transfusions are lifesaving— some are life-enhancing. Even if my donations only went to kids like a little girl on hospice, I’d donate without hesitation.”
This experience has deepened the family’s sense of belonging. “Community is nothing if we aren’t united. Blood runs through all of us. They gave, so I gave, and maybe someone in the future will give, and they’ll never know it was because of my donation. It’s kind of cool to think that way,” Eliza said.
Thanks to the generosity of donors and the care of Jack’s medical team, the Lawrence family was able to expand their family, welcoming a baby named Phillip in 2023. His birth became a symbol of hope and healing, captured in a maternity photo shoot that contrasted dark skies with the light of new life, a reminder of the miracles they experienced throughout Jack’s transplant journey.
Jack continues to honor that gift of life in his work as an advanced emergency medical technician at Gold Cross Ambulance, carrying forward the same spirit of service and generosity that once saved him.
In 2025, ARUP Blood Services held a special giveaway to thank donors who gave during the summer, offering $1,500 Disney gift cards to three lucky winners. Eliza Lawrence was randomly selected as one of the winners. That gift became more than just a prize; it created an opportunity for the Lawrence family to celebrate life together. They were able to travel to Disneyland this past Christmas, making memories that once felt uncertain during Jack’s transplant journey. The trip served as another reminder of how generosity can come full circle—from the anonymous donors who helped save Jack’s life to a family now creating joyful moments because of a community that continues to give.
ARUP Blood Services provides lifesaving blood to University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics and the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Stories like this one from the Lawrence family highlight the real, lasting impact of donations. By giving just a small portion of your time, you can make a difference in someone’s life.
Call 801-584-5272 or visit our donor portal to find out how you can donate.
