Rodney Stroud suffered his first heart attack in his early 40s. This life threatening experience landed him in ICU fighting for his life at a local hospital in Athens, Ga. He had to end up getting a pace maker/defibrillater put in. From there he had to take numerous meds that would support his heart and his health for the rest of his life.

Rodneys heart was very weak, but years later his heart began to strengthen again, and he was able to decrease some medications. The pacemaker/defibrillates had to remain.

On April 5, 2019, Rodney was admitted to a local hospital after becoming ill at work. He ended up unconscious. His heart failed twice that day; early afternoon and later that night. His chances of surviving looked very grim as he was placed in the Intensive Care Unit.

The next day he was air lifted to Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta, Ga where he remained in the cardiology critical care unit. Later, he was removed from critical care. He was released from Emory Saint Joseph’s on his birthday, April 26, 2019. He had to remain on dialysis for a few months. He required Home Health Care. 

A few weeks passed by and Rodney became ill again. He was admitted and released from the hospital multiple times. As time went on his condition worsened. He was taken back to Emory Saint Joseph’s where he was had to undergo more tests. He was moved to Emory Saint Joseph’s Critical Care Unit. His heart was not strong enough.

Rodney received news that he would need a Heart Transplant. He now required medicine administered directly to his heart via an IV pump. This could only be for a limited period of time.

The next life saving step was to plan surgery for Rodney to have a Left Ventricle Assisted Device (LVAD) put in as a bridge to the next step of a Heart Transplant. This device assisted Rodney’s weak heart with pushing blood from his left ventricle to his right ventricle, thus supplying blood flow throughout his body. Rodney received the LVAD surgery and remained in critical care for quite some time until released for home.

After the LVAD there were good days and bad days along with hospitalizations, and numerous doctor appointments in Athens, Ga and in Atlanta, Ga.

With patience and prayers, Rodney completed numerous preliminary requirements for a heart transplant. Rodney, family, friends & loved ones prayed that he would be blessed with a heart donor, as he waited on the Heart Transplant List.

Rodney was blessed with a successful Heart Transplant surgery on October 20, 2025. Our prayers were answered. Rodney is currently recovering at Emory Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.

We are so thankful and grateful to the donor who donated their heart to save the life of another human being. We. pray for the donors family & loved ones during their time of grief & loss. May they find comfort in God’s embrace.

Thanks everyone for your continued spiritual & financial support for Rodneys Heart Transplant. We thank you sincerely and wholeheartedly for giving.

The Original Splitz Band & The Stroud Family