BARBOURSVILLE, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Ron Johnson knows a thing or two about hearts, and his knowledge has nothing to do with Valentine's Day.

Ron had a heart transplant at the Cleveland Clinic in 2001. Today he is alive and well, and even has the chance to watch his granddaughter grow up.

Ron was on the transplant waiting list for two years. While he patiently waited for his turn for a heart he enrolled in several medical research experiments so he could stay alive.

Nine years later, he is spending another Valentine's Day with his wife. He's using the holiday to speak out about how important organ donation is.

"You can't imagine unless you go through it. And so many people think once you have a heart transplant well he has a new heart he's okay but it's not. You get along well but if you don't take all that rejection medicine and you have to take it, for the rest of your life you have to have that medicine," Johnson said. "It's an experience."

Click on the link below to learn more about organ donation.