Despite his failing heart, John D. Silvati always made the most out of his life and worked hard to make a difference in others...
Silvati had a "passion for people," according to his wife Linda, and enjoyed being involved in the community. He served on the boards of the Ensemble Theater, Indian Hill Church, and was a founding board member of the Charles H. Dater Foundation, which has supported more than 300 organizations in Greater Cincinnati since 1985.
"Even if you met him incidentally, John wanted to know your story. He was a big man with a big heart," says Linda. Silvati battled congestive heart failure for 30 years, and through all of the pain, all of the sickness, and all of the treatments, he remained optimistic about the future.
His health deteriorating, Silvati was eventually placed on a waiting list for a heart transplant, and was offered the option to receive a Ventricular Assist Device (VAD), a mechanical pump that supports heart function and blood flow. "It takes a lot of courage to go through a VAD procedure, and John was the perfect example of courage," says Dr. Eugene Chung, Director of Heart Failure at The Christ Hospital Lindner Research Center.
After the procedure, Silvati went through the hospital's cardiac rehabilitation program and was a regular participant in the VAD Support Group. He was grateful for every minute he had, and wanted to spend that time helping people. Linda recalls her husband's concern for patients struggling with all of the costs associated with receiving a VAD. "I don't know how people go through this without insurance or support," he told her.
John D. Silvati passed away on May 8, 2014, and in keeping with his passion for helping others, memorials were directed to the VAD Program to help those who cannot afford the specialty supplies and medications needed for the device. Additionally, the Dater Foundation honored their friend and board member with a $10,000 gift to the VAD Program.
Living with a VAD comes with numerous financial expenses. for some patients and families, it can become difficult or even impossible to afford the things they need, which in turn, drastically affects their health and the quality of their lives.
You, too, can help patients receive much-needed assistance to live the healthiest, fullest lives possible by clicking Donate Online at the top of the page.