Heart and Stroll

For Steven Sabb, it’s no surprise he still feels like he could conquer the world. Why, only a day after his heart transplant, the hospital staff found him exercising. But the 43-year-old reverend jokingly said "they wouldn’t let me go swimming."

It has been more than two years since Sabb, of the 2000 block of South Hemberger Street, received his new ticker. Seven years prior to that, he was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy. This type of heart disease results from weakened muscle tissue that forms the heart’s four chambers. The condition made the organ grow twice its normal size. Placed on a transplant list, Sabb was in even more dire straits because his AB negative blood type is the rarest in the world.

"I was scared because everything wasn’t complete as far as everything I wanted to do in life," he said. "I wanted to see my kids go through high school."

Sabb did get his wish. Three of his four daughters are now in their 20s and the father now is sharing his gusto for life with 3-year-old grandson Quamir.

Unable to keep his enjoyment bottled up, the jovial Sabb will take it on the road — literally. He is participating in the city’s seventh annual Heart Walk at Fairmount Park Sept. 25. Proceeds from the event will benefit the American Heart Association to further research heart disease and heart-related illnesses.

The 6.2-mile walk, which expects to draw more than 4,000 participants, emphasizes the prevalence of heart disease in the United States. According to the association, heart disease kills roughly 930,000 people each year — taking a life every 34 seconds.

"A lot of people who are walking are honoring someone or remembering something that has happened to them," said Amy Muldoon, the association’s communications coordinator for the Southestern Pennsylvania and Delaware affiliate. "There are many personal stories behind it."

The organization has set a goal of $1 million, Muldoon said. The organization raised $720,000 last year, according to Dexter Johnson, senior director for the Heart Walk.

Proudly contributing his time to the walk, Sabb, 43, is giving his heartfelt effort to find a cure for heart disease. He now sees changes in himself, changes he credits to his new heart.

"I read more than I ever read before," said Sabb, who is a deacon at the True Gospel Tabernacle Church, 16th and Mifflin streets. "I can read a book in a couple of hours."

THE REVEREND ALWAYS remains in high spirits, but is constantly reminded of the numerous difficulties that might occur after a heart transplant. While he has weaned himself from prescription steroids, he must continue to ingest 34 pills a day. Two "anti-rejection medications," which help ward off bacteria that may impair his heart, are both of a lifetime maintenance nature, said Sabb, who noted he has developed diabetes as a result of the transplant and must take five insulin injections a day.

Every six months, Sabb undergoes heart biopsies. While under anesthesia, his doctor places an intravenous line into a vein in his neck, through which an instrument makes its way directly to the organ and removes samples.

Sabb, though conscious during the procedure, does not find it difficult.

"I’m wide awake talking to the doctor about things that are going on" in my life, he said. "It takes no less than four minutes at the most. You’re in and out quick. Next day, they call you and give you the results."

So far, his heart has remained in tip-top condition.

"I haven’t been back to the hospital besides for routine checkups," he said.

Understanding others might not have had similar outcomes, Sabb decided to share his story. Most of his Sundays are spent at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital chatting with heart patients who remain on a waiting list or have developed complications from a transplant.

"You need to talk to someone who actually went through what you went through — not a counselor," he said. "These people would be worried so much about what’s going on at home or at the hospital that their mind couldn’t focus on healing themselves."

Sabb instructs his listeners to center their energies on life’s positive aspects and have faith in those in the medical profession.

"If you don’t trust your doctor, that’s losing half the battle right there," he said.

One of Sabb’s memorable moments at the hospital occurred when he persuaded a patient with a heart condition to reveal his emotions.

"He never opened up to nobody since he’s been there," Sabb said. "He told me his whole life story."

Sabb keeps busy ministering at his church and taking an active role on the Multicultural Affairs Committee of the Gift of Life Organization. Through this group, he has spoken to adults and high-school students about organ donations and transplants.

Sabb also transports a handful of children to and from his church’s daycare. But many will most likely find him partaking in a strict regimen of physical activities: taking a brisk walk in Wharton Square Park, 23rd and Wharton streets, every morning and working out twice a day at the gym.

"My doctor said to just maintain yourself, but with me it was a need to stay fit and … grow stronger," he said.

Adding to his daily exercises is his grandson. Sabb is teaching him the ins and outs of basketball and baseball.

"He’s keeping me alive more than anybody," Sabb said.

His family is cheering him on as he prepares for this month’s walk, including wife Phyllis and children Nakia, 25; Sereta, 20; Shenea, 20; and Sherrel, 12.

Sabb, who walks more than two miles a day, is attempting to increase that number so he can shine during the Heart Walk.

"I’m trying to walk five miles" a day, he said. "I don’t want to be embarrassed. I’m walking a little further to be sure I’m comfortable when I hit the finish line."

For more information on the Heart Walk, call the American Heart Association at 610-940-9540 or visit www.heartwalk.kintera.org/philadelphiapa.