On this week’s Lit Show, host Joe Fassler speaks with four Iowa City writers who’ve been inspired by Dean Young, the acclaimed poet who received a life-saving heart transplant on April 15, 2011. Young had been suffering from congestive heart failure due to a genetic condition called idiopathic hypotropic cardiomyopathy—and at the time of the transplant, his heart was pumping at 8% of normal volume.
Young’s transplant was a success, and the procedure was paid for through his insurance at the University of Texas, where he teaches. But despite full coverage, and despite a generous outpouring from the friends, fans, and fellow poets who love his work, Young still faces massive health-related bills—in the neighborhood of $50,000 a year.
To hear Dora Malech, Danny Khalastchi, Marc Rahe, and James Longley discuss Young’s work, his teaching, and why they love him as a poet, mentor, and person, listen to the full broadcast on litshow.com.
