I’m feeling fin thanks to my donor
A Dad-of-three has opened up on how a heart transplant saved his life and let him get back to fishing on his boat.
Niall Whitely is incredibly thankful to his organ donor and to the medics and hospital staff who cared for him.
The 51-year-old underwent the transplant at Dublin’s Mater Hospital in late 2019 after years of ill-health.
Niall, who was adopted at birth, had no medical records and no knowledge there may be a family history of cardiomyopathy.
He is sharing his story to mark Organ Donor Awareness Week.
The Kildare man returned home from a work trip to New Delhi, India, in 2003 feeling unwell and from then his health started to slowly decline.
Niall said: “Were it not for my organ donor family, I wouldn’t be here today for my wife and family and my children.
“I hope people will see how important organ donation and transplantation is and have the conversation with their loved ones and let their wishes be known.”
In August 2004, Niall was diagnosed with acute dilated cardiomyopathy.
After extensive medical treatment and tests, his health remained stable until 2017 when he had an ICD heart-starting device inserted. Niall said: “This helped me for a while but by early 2019 I knew I was once again in trouble.”
He was sent to Dr Emer Joyce in the Mater Hospital and was thankfully accepted as a candidate for transplant.
After a few setbacks and disappointments, Niall eventually received a call to say they had a suitable donor.
He said: “The time I spent in hospital gave me a real appreciation of life and the amazing work that our medical and nursing staff do.
“I am now back working and in my spare time, when not with my family, nothing makes me happier than passing the hours peacefully on my own on my boat fishing.”