ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - As dads are celebrating Father’s Day, one Albany father is spending the day knowing his 18-year-old son is now happy and healthy.

“My whole world changed in the matter of a millisecond,” said Ben Brantley, Jerry’s son.

Four years ago, Ben was suddenly diagnosed with a rare heart condition, dilated cardiomyopathy. Ben was airlifted from Jacksonville to the Atlanta Children’s Hospital, where he underwent a lifesaving L-valve operation.

“All I could think of was, ‘please Lord. Don’t let me lose my child before I get there,” said Jerry.

Doctors told Ben that he needed a heart transplant as soon as possible, and three weeks later, a donor match was found.

“In my mind, I’m thinking, ‘need a new heart? Somebody gotta die for this.’ I didn’t want that to happen,” said Ben.

“He asked me why I wasn’t happy. I said I was, but somebody had to pass in order for you to live,” said Jerry.

The transplant surgery was a success, and Ben has since made a full recovery. Jerry believes the donor was a 23-year-old man, somebody’s son. Now, every Father’s Day, despite not meeting the donor’s family, Jerry writes them a letter.

“Because as a father, I think it’s something special because you’ve lost your son. But, I also want to let them know how grateful and thankful for the sacrifice they made, because it wasn’t an easy decision,” said Jerry.

According to LifeLink of Georgia, there are currently over 3,000 people in the state who are awaiting a transplant, and 68% of them are African American. They say one organ donor can save eight lives and heal up to 75 people.

“When I do see my son, every day I just look at the miracle behind it because he’s a miracle. It’s a miracle somebody decided to sign up to give their organs. I’m just very grateful,” said Jerry.

To sign up to become an organ donor, you can visit mystorycontinues.com.

From all of us at WALB, happy Father’s Day to all the South Georgia dads and father figures out there!

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