‘They’re Jamie’s medals’
N.L. organ donor advocate wins events at World Transplant Games on behalf of late husband
There is camaraderie, and understanding, in the way that the athletes greet each other at the 10th World Transplant Winter Games.
“What are you?” is the usual opener. “I’m a heart,” might be the response, or, “I’m a kidney.”
Heather Lannon, the wife of the late Jamie Wilkinson and the provincial director of the Canadian Transplant Association-nl Branch, said the atmosphere is conducive to sharing stories.
“It’s the first thing that you say,” she said. “I get excited, obviously, when I meet hearts because hearts are my thing.”
And does Lannon ever have an organ donation story to share.
She became involved with organ donation in 2012 when Jamie was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. In need of specialized medical attention, they moved from Newfoundland to Toronto.
Both Heather and Jamie maintained a positive attitude throughout, making the most of their situation.
But after a long battle and numerous medical procedures, Jamie died in May
2017.
Now, Lannon is fulfilling one of Jamie’s dreams.
“Jamie wanted to come (to the World Transplant Games), so I felt like I should,” she said.
Lannon is one of five members of Team Canada, and is competing with 200 athletes from 19 countries.
As of Thursday, Team Canada had claimed eight medals — two of them Lannon’s.
“I never, ever expected to win anything,” she said.
Lannon won gold in the cross-country skiing competition and bronze in snowshoeing. The events are divided into categories based on gender, age, and donor family or donor recipients.
When asked what Jamie would think of her athletic achievements, Lannon couldn’t help but laugh.
“When I was climbing that snowshoe hill, I cursed Jamie to the highest because I’m only here because he wanted me to come,” she said. “I think he would laugh. I’m here on top of a mountain and I’m sure he knows I won.”
Lannon said the medal ceremony was very emotional.
“All I was thinking is, ‘Please don’t cry on this podium while all these people are looking and taking pictures.’”
The Games, which are being held in Anzere-arbaz, Switzerland, are a new experience for Lannon.
She said she often asks herself how she finds herself travelling and advocating organ donation daily.
“I sometimes feel bad about it. Jamie being sick has opened so many opportunities and so many doors. If Jamie wasn’t sick, I would never be in Switzerland. I wouldn’t be connected to transplants.”
Jamie’s transplant empowered Lannon to champion organ donation and awareness at every opportunity.
When she returned home to Newfoundland last June, she helped found the Canadian Transplant Association chapter in the province with Jonathan Hickman.
Through this organization, Lannon has done numerous speaking engagements. As part of her studies, she is also working with Memorial University to do research into heart transplants. All of her work is a way of keeping Jamie’s memory alive.
“It’s (about) just taking what happened and putting a positive spin on it. I could sit down and curl up in a ball and cry, but Jamie would probably come back and haunt me. He always used to say, ‘I’ll come back and haunt you.’”
For now, Lannon said, she is going to relax and enjoy her experience at the Games.
“That was a surprise,” she said of her cross-country skiing medal, explaining that she had little experience in the sport.
The significance of her achievements isn’t lost on her: she has been competing for Jamie.
“They’re Jamie’s medals.”