‘Three months after my heart transplant, I pray daily for donor’s family’
A FATHER whose life was saved when he received a heart transplant is pleading with people to make getting an organ donor card a New Year’s resolution.
John Brennan, 37, has also welcomed proposals by Health Minister Simon Harris to bring plans for an ‘opt-out’ system for organ donation before Cabinet next month.
Mr Brennan, who was born with a genetic heart condition, said he felt different ‘immediately’ after his transplant in the Mater Hospital, Dublin, three months ago.
He has cherished spending Christmas with his family but said: ‘My donor and his family were and always are in my thoughts, more so over Christmas because while I was cherishing my time with my family, my donor’s family was spending their first Christmas without their son, which must have been heartbreaking.
‘I pray for them each and every day and will dedicate the rest of my life to my donor.
‘I feel very strongly in getting my message out there as I have seen how much it has changed my life.
‘I have seen both sides of waiting on the transplant list. There are stories of complete joy, but also ones of utter sadness.
‘I’ve witnessed patients sent home to die as they became too weak waiting on a heart that never came.’
Mr Brennan, who is from Tallanstown, Co. Louth, is father to Lauren, 11, and nine-year-old Shaun. He had expected to be spending Christmas in hospital – but in the event enjoyed ‘the best Christmas I have had in a very long time’.
He went on: ‘I spent it at home with my beautiful wife Claire and my two wonderful kids who got extra spoilt this year, as it has being a very tough year on them and Claire.’
This year the Brennans can plan holidays together. Mr Brennan said he now enjoys ‘each and every day, not worrying about how I am going to feel each day I wake up’.
Since the heart transplant Mr Brennan has undergone regular check-ups and has been monitored for any signs of organ rejection.
So far he is doing extremely well and is getting used to taking nearly 40 tablets a day. He is able to exercise and now walks every day and has regular sessions on a static bike.
He said: ‘Only four months ago this was beyond me. This is all thanks to my amazing donor who has really given me the gift of life.’
Mr Brennan said that his immediate goal is to continue with his recovery and to get stronger every day.
But he warned that too many people are dying while waiting for a transplant.
‘I plead with every person to go out and get a donor card:
‘There are stories of complete joy’ ‘Best Christmas in a long while’
make this your New Year’s resolution.
‘My hope for 2019 is that organ donation finally becomes the norm with the introduction of “opt-out”, meaning every citizen will be a donor unless they opt out.’
The Irish Daily Mail revealed yesterday that Mr Harris will bring the outline of the longmooted ‘donor by default’ plans, agreed under the Programme for Government, to Cabinet next month. It’s hoped the legislation will be passed before the end of 2019.
Under current ‘opt-in’ rules, people must consent to having their organs donated after death by carrying a donor card, by noting their intentions on their driver’s licence, or by informing family members of their wishes.