Stanley Boyd of Tavistock, Ontario thought he was visiting London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) only for an angiogram, a diagnostic test for those with suspected heart problems that uses a special camera to look at the arteries that feed a patient's heart with blood.

"When I was on the table having the angiogram, I felt like my chest was on fire," said Mr. Boyd. "The next thing I knew, everything was just black." Mr. Boyd's heart had stopped.

Medical staff immediately applied cardiac massage, an emergency procedure that entails the rhythmic compressing of the heart using the hands to force blood through the blood vessels, and rushed Mr. Boyd to the operating room.

LHSC cardiac surgeon Dr. Neil McKenzie performed emergency coronary artery bypass surgery, rerouting blood around a narrowed artery and restoring blood flow to the heart - saving Mr. Boyd's life.

"When I woke up, I thought I saw an angel," said Mr. Boyd. "It was a lovely nurse."

Mr. Boyd's bypass surgery was in May 1991. His heart, he says, has "been fine ever since."

That wouldn't be Mr. Boyd's only experience with life-saving treatment at LHSC.

Diagnostic tests that were performed as a result of Mr. Boyd's heart problems indicated that he should also be examined for an aneurysm - a weak point in an artery, most commonly the abdominal aorta. A ruptured aneurysm breaks the artery and allows uncontrolled bleeding to occur, which can be fatal.

It was discovered that Mr. Boyd had an abdominal aortic aneurysm. LHSC vascular surgeon Dr. Ken Harris performed surgery on Mr. Boyd to repair the aneurysm.

"He did an excellent job," said Mr. Boyd. "I was very pleased."

Mr. Boyd decided to donate his BCE shares in late 2007 in anticipation of the proposed privatization of BCE by the Ontario Teacher's Pension Plan Board and the significant tax implications that would have resulted. Even though the deal didn't materialize, by making a donation of securities Mr. Boyd avoided having to pay capital gains tax and at the same time helped the hospital he feels created a "new birthday" for him. As Mr. Boyd puts it, "I'd rather let the funds from these shares help others by donating them to London Health Sciences Foundation than see a lot of their value go to the payment of income tax."

Mr. Boyd is very grateful for the care he received at LHSC. "If you've got a medical problem, go to London Health Sciences Centre," he said. "They'll look after you."