Time had been running out and the 50-year-old was told he would die unless a new heart could be found within weeks.
That is why Mr Shaw, from Bridgemary, Gosport, is so grateful that the person whose heart now beats in his body put their name on the organ donor register.
He is now throwing his weight behind our drive to get more people on the list which already stands at 214,559 people locally.
There are 116 people in the area still waiting for organ transplants.
Mr Shaw, a security guard for the Ministry of Defence Police, said: 'In the past I didn't even really think about the donor list.
'Now I can't put into words how grateful I am to that person who put their name down.
'Someone has died so that I could keep on living. There aren't enough words to express mine and my family's thanks for that.'
Mr Shaw suffered a massive heart attack aged 30 and had to have a heart by-pass. He had a second by-pass at 40 and in September 2007 he caught bronchitis and was admitted to Queen Alexandra Hospital.
It was there doctors realised he needed a new heart – and quickly. He was transferred to Harefield Hospital in London while medics searched for a match. On January 29, a perfect match was found – a day the Shaw family will never forget.
He said: 'It has worked out great and I feel so much better. Before the transplant I found it difficult to walk because of pains in my chest.
'I'm so, so grateful to that person for giving me my life back.'