I will dedicate the rest of my life to my donor
Dad saved by heart transplant calls on everyone to donate their organs
A FATHER whose life was saved when he received a heart transplant is pleading with people to make getting an organ donor card “your New Year’s resolution”.
John Brennan, 37, was born with a genetic condition and said he felt different “immediately” after his transplant in the Mater hospital in Dublin.
He has cherished the festive period with his family but said: “My donor and his family were and always are in my thoughts.
“And more so over Christmas because while I was cherishing my time with all my family, my donors’ 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.”
John added the kind man was “amazing” and just three months after the life-changing operation he is feeling great.
He said: “My energy levels are getting much stronger and the strength is returning to my body more and more every day.” John, who is from Tallanstown, Co Louth, is dad to Lauren, 11, and nine-year-old Shaun.
He said he thought he would be spending Christmas in hospital but after his transplant, “Christmas this year was the best I have had in a very long time”.
John added: “I have 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.”
He said this year they can plan holidays together and “enjoy each and every day not worrying about how I am going to feel each day I wake up”.
John added: “We are looking forward to all the simple things – dancing and singing with Lauren and running around playing football with Shaun.”
The dedicated dad has had regular check-ups including monitoring any signs of organ rejection.
So far he is doing well and is getting used to taking nearly 40 tablets a day.
John also told how he is able to exercise and walks every day and uses a static bike.
He said: “Only four months ago this was beyond me and this is all thanks to my amazing donor who has really given me the gift of life.”
While his immediate goal is to continue his recovery and get stronger, John added: “My long-term goal is to use any means possible to highlight the importance of organ
CO LOUTH YESTERDAY
donation. I feel very strongly in getting my message out there as I have seen how much it has changed my life.
“I have also seen first-hand both sides of waiting on the transplant list.
“There are stories of complete joy, but also ones of utter sadness as I’ve witnessed patients sent home to die as they became too weak waiting on a heart that never came for them.”
John said too many people are dying while waiting for a transplant and added: “I plea with every person to go out and get a donor card, 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 which will mean more lives will be saved every year resulting in many more families able to move on with their lives.”
Health Minister Simon Harris said he is bringing in new laws to make organ donation compulsory unless stated otherwise. However, the important safeguard of family consent will be inserted in the new law so a loved one can still prevent organ donations.
My donor and his family were and always are in my thoughts
JOHN BRENNAN