IL Officer Who Received Heart Transplant Thankful for Medical Care, Organ Donors

Officer James Williams received a heart transplant after living with heart failure for over a decade. He is back on duty and grateful to be healthy.

Williams returned to the Eastern Illinois University police force in August. "I got goosebumps when I put my uniform back on," said the Desert Storm veteran who one day hopes to meet the family of the heart donor. "I can't even put into words how grateful I am that people choose to donate their organs or the organs of loved ones. I am extremely thankful to my donor family, and I am blessed to have a second chance."

On Monday Williams served as emcee at a free event hosted by the Carle Foundation health system , which provided care for his heart condition. At the event, Carle experts shared guidance for managing the disease.

"Every day at some point, I think how far I've come—mentally, physically and spiritually. I wasn't sure I'd make it sometimes. I doubted myself sometimes, but because of doctors, nurses, friends and family, I cleared some huge hurdles," Carle reported on its website.

"I'm stable. I'm healthy. I'm strong. I want that for others, too."