30th Year Anniversary of Oregon's First Heart Donor
EVENT DATE:
Many people have heard the story of Oregon’s first heart transplant, conducted at Oregon Health and Sciences University in 1985 by Albert Starr, M.D., and its recipient, 44-year-old Wesley Merrill, a construction worker from Battle Ground, Wa.
Fewer people have heard about the donor of that heart — 27-year-old Bobby Lewis Olive Sr. of Northeast Portland.
Bobby’s family is holding a special Black history event coinciding with Valentine's Day to honor his memory and his contribution to Oregon, Saturday, Feb. 13 at Stay Clean, 2601 SE 160th and Division, in Portland, Oregon, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The event features food and music and benefits the nonprofit Donate Life Northwest. It is organized by Bobby’s sister Balinda Olive Beltran – a longtime Donate Life Northwest volunteer – Bobby’s daughter Shannon Olive and his widow, Anita Ward. For more information, please contact Balinda.Beltran2015@gmail.com