CALDWELL — When Caldwell native Tony Shepard was 16, a doctor gave him six months to live. He had just been diagnosed with a life-threatening heart disease, cardiomyopathy.

In what could have been his final hours, he received a heart from a 17-year-old boy and underwent his first heart transplant — the first surgery of its kind at the University of Utah Hospital in 1985.

Now, 33 years later, Shepard just underwent his second heart transplant at the same university and is one of the longest-living heart transplant patients.

“It’s almost unheard of to go that long,” Shepard said. “It’s very rare.”

After nearly nine heart stents and five years knowing he would need a new heart again, Shepard received a heart just one month after being placed as highest priority on the transplant list. The average wait time for highest priority on the list is three months, Shepard said.

“I got really lucky,” he said.

His second transplant was on July 28, and recovery will take about six months as he waits for his sternum to heal. In that time, medical bills will continue to pile up as he and his wife live in Salt Lake City near the hospital.

To help with these costs, friends of Shepard are hosting a fundraiser from 5 to 11 p.m. Aug. 25 at The Ranch, 4919 Highway 20/26 in Caldwell. The event will include a Santa Maria-style barbecue dinner with tri-tip, beans, salad and bread — an $8 donation is encouraged — a silent auction, raffles, live music and more, according to Shepard’s longtime friend Teresa Steelsmith. Country artist Jensen Buck will perform from 8 to 11 p.m.

Several local businesses have sponsored the event including The Bowling Alley Homedale, Red Dog Saloon, Wahooz Family Fun Zone, 75 Custom Letter and more.

The benefit will help pay for medical bills including co-pays for medication, office visits and follow-ups, and travel to Salt Lake City, Tammy Shepard, Tony’s wife, said. According to the event flyer, the fundraiser’s goal is “to help ease the financial burden and allow Tony to focus on a healthy recovery and a long life ahead with his family.”

After Shepard’s first transplant, he worked 20 years in the truck industry and 10 years in oil fields. He also met his wife and had two sons.

None of this would have existed, Shepard said, not been for that first heart transplant.

“It has given me life,” he said.

Despite the hardships Shepard has faced, he has maintained a positive attitude and is known for being “the biggest goofball,” Steelsmith said.

“He’s going through all of this and he’s always thinking of other people, he’s always trying to help — he’s the sweetest guy. He makes everybody laugh constantly, and he’s just a pleasure to be around,” Steelsmith said. “It’s amazing that he’s, you know, at any time things could go wrong, but his thoughts are with other people constantly.”

After both life-saving operations, Shepard now stresses the importance of organ donation.

“I can’t say how important it is for people to donate if they are inclined to do that, to get that on their driver’s license,” Shepard said. “It’s very important to donate — I’m living proof of it.”

Donations for Shepard are also being accepted through Help Hope Live, a medical and related expenses fundraising platform, at helphopelive.org/campaign/14468.