Khalife makes emotional plea in support of Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week

Emotions were running high when Sammy Khalife made a tearful appeal in support of his request to proclaim the week of April 19 to 25 as Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week in the City of Swift Current.

Khalife was an invited attendee during the April 20 City Council meeting conducted via ZOOM. He shared some details of his personal journey in seeking a heart transplant, and was passionate in explaining that the week be properly observed.

“This issue doesn’t effect me just me personally. I became passionate about raising awareness. The Organ and Tissue Awareness Week, it shouldn’t be forgotten just because we are in a crisis of COVID-19,” he said during his presentation to council.

Khalife was born with Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and after experiencing a deterioration of his condition he underwent a major surgery on May 17, 2019 where he received a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) which is powering his failing heart while he awaits a transplant. Unfortunately, LVAD recipients have lower survival rates the longer they await for heart transplants.

“In my case, it’s a life sustaining therapy. Its not a treatment,” he said through tears. “It’s keeping me alive, but it’s not treating my condition, so my condition is unique and it’s getting worse.”

Khalife’s outcome has been impacted by the current COVID-19 restrictions, with most transplants being put on hold as major operations like this are currently not recommended. Currently, only people in ICU now who need a heart are considered suitable candidates, but the procedure is overall not recommended.

“I was supposed to go to my reassessment and thats been pushed for six months. It’s a difficult time. They don’t want to risk someone getting infection and complication. Being in the hospital puts you in risk.”

He said his experiences have only strengthened his desire to raise awareness