Iowa State: Troy Dejoode - The Miraculous Story of the Heart Dad

Troy DeJoode's life changed forever in May 2010 when a tragic car accident took his five-month-old daughter Claire and five-year-old son Carson. Hours later, he made the agonizing decision to donate both children's organs, not knowing just how much that decision would bless the lives of others. Hundreds of miles away in Utah, five-month-old Landen Bowers was facing multiple health challenges. Born with a failing heart, he had just days to live. His father bought him a stuffed lion from the gift shop, symbolizing the courage Landen would need. Then came the call: a heart was available. Landen's parents accepted Claire's heart, and with it arrived a small stuffed lamb—a final gift from the DeJoode family. Today, Landen is a determined teenager with dreams of becoming an airline pilot. He calls Troy his "heart dad," and the two families remain inseparably connected. Through foundation work, visits, and an enduring friendship, they've transformed unspeakable loss into a legacy of hope, proving that one selfless decision can echo across generations. Guests: Troy DeJoode Tammy and Landen Bowers