(WXYZ) — Tom Burkhardt was on his way to urgent care Friday for chest pains when Los Angeles traffic got the best of him.
While listening to the local radio station, KROQ, Tom decided to go ahead and call in for a chance to win Smashing Pumpkins tickets hosts Stryker and Klein were giving away.
To his surprise, Tom was the 20th caller.
He told the radio hosts that he was stuck in traffic while on his way to get medical attention because his heart was hurting. Unaware of what would be quite a serious situation, Klein and Tom joked that if Tom died, the tickets would be given to someone else.
"And I don't want to be insensitive, but if you do die, there's plenty of other people who want these tickets. So just please notify us," the radio host humored.
"If I don't pull through, I'll make sure that my wife passes them on to somebody good," Tom responded lightheartedly (no pun intended).
It wasn't until getting to the hospital that Tom realized he was in fact having a heart attack. He messaged KROQ hours later, saying he was rushed into surgery when he got to the emergency room.
The 43-year-old had no family history of heart conditions and no risk factors. He told 7 Action News' Jennifer Ann Wilson that doctors are still trying to figure out what caused this to happen.
"I was actually pretty close to dying, so even though the KROQ thing is awesome, I'm super excited to be alive," Tom said.
He needed a blood transfusion and wouldn't have survived without it.
"I got an email today that the American Red Cross is critically low on blood and needs donations. I got a blood transfusion during this, and if people were directed to give blood that would be awesome," said Tom.
Click here to donate to the American Red Cross and help save lives.
Radio hosts Stryker and Klien called Tom later that day to check up on his condition. Listen to the audio below:
Tom has since been released from the hospital. He's now at home resting and still plans on using those Smashing Pumpkins tickets.
