Co Tyrone pair saved by heart transplants in appeal for more donors
A FORMER nurse has spoken of her deep gratitude to the organ donor whose gift of a new heart saved her life.
June Craig and another heart recipient, Stephen Kee, have shared their experiences to encourage others to consider organ donation.
They were among approximately 140 people here on the transplant waiting list.
Mrs Craig from Donemana and Mr Kee from Omagh were cardiac patients with the Western Trust who were lucky enough to find hearts suitable for transplant thanks to the generosity of donors.
Last year 14 local people died waiting for an organ transplant.
Mrs Craig said: “I had an inherited cardiac condition, cardiomyopathy. This also affects other people in my family.
“I was working as a district nurse and life was getting tougher.
“I was beginning to get heart failure, and while I kept going at work for as long as I could, I had to give up after I had total heart failure.
“I was taken to the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle and told my only option was a heart transplant.
“Luckily, I only waited 81 days before I was told a potentially suitable heart had been found.
“You never know whether the heart will be suitable, even though it has been matched.
“I was delighted and thankful that the donor heart was suitable for me.
“I am nearly three years’ post-transplant and I have achieved so much in those three years, including attending my son’s wedding, being an active granny and being able to enjoy travelling again.
“Life is good, and without that special gift I wouldn’t have a story to tell.”
Mr Kee, a 55-year-old fatherof-one, said: “I contracted a virus which was attacking my heart.
“After some medical intervention, and what seemed to be a short recovery, the virus returned again and proceeded to destroy the remainder of my heart.
“My journey to transplant was very rapid, four weeks in total approximately.
“I was on the official register for only five days.
“I was essentially in hospital dying, with only a few days left to live, when a donor heart became available.
“Without a donor I would not be here today. The most significant change for me after my transplant was to be able to breathe, sit up, walk and to function again.
“The physical improvements were so important — just to get out and get a breath of fresh air was so significant.”
Dr Declan Grace, lead clinician for organ donation at the Western Trust, said the most important aspect of becoming an organ donor was to make sure family members are aware.
He said: “June and Stephen tell a powerful story about how organ donation not only saved their lives, but helped them to
❝ I was essentially in hospital dying, with a few days left, when a donor heart became available
live life to the fullest again. Organ donation transforms and saves lives and the Western Trust encourages everyone to join the organ donor register and tell their loved ones about their wishes.
“After your death your next of kin will be consulted and any decision they make will be respected.
“No one wants to think or talk about dying, but set in the context of helping one — or more than one person — after death, the conversation becomes easier.”