February is National Heart month so we're bringing you stories from the heart.

In our first of five pieces, you'll meet a man who holds another person's heart - literally.

Tom Jurgens is a husband, a father, and a grandfather.

He's also a heart transplant recipient.

After suffering from congestive heart failure for more than 12 years, Tom received the gift of life.

He says, "They did the transplant on September 17, 2008. That was 2 days after my 61st birthday."

Before the new heart, Tom says he was always short of breath and always tired.

His wife of 43 years Carol says seeing him struggle was tough.

The new heart came just in time, but it came with a burden.

The Jurgens don't know whose heart Tom received.

He says he sometimes wrestles with the fact another family's loss was his family's gain.

But one organ donor can help a dozen people and Tom says he's grateful for the gift.

"I couldn't say that I don't think about the fact that I've got someone else's heart in me from time to time because I find myself when I'm out for walks I find myself thinking well, would this person have enjoyed the same things that I do? Would this person have liked the views that I like?"

The donation has meant three more birthdays, three more Christmases and the chance to be a grandfather.

It's not always easy - right after the surgery, Tom was taking 60 pills every day.

Now he's down to 15.

Anti-rejection medication means he has a compromised immune system, so he has to be careful in crowds.

But Tom says all that pales in comparison to the many benefits, including more time with loved ones.