Calvin Ming, who faces a heart transplant.

Father-of-three Mr. Ming and his wife, Juanita, left Bermuda for the United States on Tuesday, with two nurses. The 45-year-old is to undergo pre-operation tests at Pittsburgh Presbyterian Hospital.

The results should be known in 10 days, and will decide where he is placed on the transplant donor list.

Mr. Ming is an executive officer of the National Alcohol and Drugs Agency, now amalgamated with the new National Drugs Strategy Team.

He discovered four years ago he was suffering from a mystery breakdown of his heart muscles, idiopathic ventricular cardiomyopathy.

The condition, believed to be caused by a virus, severely sapped his energy.

Although extremely expensive, a heart transplant is the only medical course open to him.

Yesterday Mrs. Althea Overley, a community co-ordinator with NADA, said Mr.

Ming and his wife will be staying at an apartment near the hospital until his operation.

She said she had spoken to Mr. Ming on Monday, and he appeared to be in good spirits.

"He has a wonderful attitude, and draws a lot of strength from the Lord,'' she added.

"We are all praying for him, and hoping he will make a quick recovery.'' Once the operation is over, Mr. Ming will spend several months recuperation in the States.

Mr. Calvin Ming.