Brian Montalbano

I am a two time Heart Transplant recipient, two time synovial sarcoma cancer survivor and stroke survivor.

I developed dilated cardiomyopathy at the age of 9, was on the transplant list for only 9 hours and received my first heart transplant in 1990. I suffered severe rejection in 1995, my transplant team preformed plasmapheresis and that was able to reverse my rejection. I soon after developed gastroparesis from that rejection episode, which I continue to deal with on a daily basis.

In 2011, I received my second heart transplant 20+ years after my first.  I had some complications coming out of surgery, aspirated, suffered a stroke and was put on ECMO. I spent 6 weeks in the hospital, along with some outpatient PT/OT but was able to make a full recovery and was back at work 4 months later.

In 2020, I developed synovial sarcoma lung cancer and underwent a lobectomy to remove the tumor & cancer.  In May 2021 I had a reoccurrence of synovial sarcoma, this time on the scalp, and had the tumor remove and again am cancer free.

Professionally, I am a supply chain executive Fortune 500 company and I volunteer with various organizations dealing with chronic illness. Personally, I’m married to my beautiful wife and we have two sons. In my spare time I enjoy anything sports related, especially playing golf, and spending time with my family.