Boxing champion thanks surgeon who repaired his heart 21 years ago
A CHAMPION Yorkshire boxer returned to the hospital where he had heart surgery as a fiveyear-old boy to thank the surgeon who enabled him to follow his dreams.
Tommy Frank, 26, had an operation to repair a hole in his heart at Leeds General Infirmary and is now a successful professional sportsman who won three international boxing titles last year.
Mr Frank, from Sheffield, visited the heart ward at Leeds Children’s Hospital yesterday to meet up with his cardiac surgeon Carin Van Doorn.
He also spoke to young heart patients about his experiences as a patient and showed them his boxing belts.
Mr Frank, an ambassador for Heart Research UK, said: “I can’t thank her enough. This hospital is absolutely fantastic.
Tommy Frank after the operation and meeting heart patient Amelia Brown, 12, from Skipton.
“I’m hoping that a child with heart problems can look up to me and believe that there are really no barriers to succeeding in sport.
“Thanks to the treatment and care I received I have been able
to get on with my life and follow my dreams. If I can inspire just one child to realise their dreams too then I feel I will have achieved something.”
Mr Frank also gave his support to the Yorkshire and Humber
Congenital Heart Disease Network, which shares expertise, training, treatment and care from the specialist cardiac centre in Leeds throughout a network of hospitals across Yorkshire.
Carin Van Doorn, who operates on up to 300 patients a year, said: “I’m delighted Tommy is doing so well in his boxing career. It is testimony to the congenital cardiac network that patients across Yorkshire can benefit from the expertise available at a specialist centre like Leeds.
“Having the network not only means we can provide consistent treatment but our patients have access to the highest quality congenital heart disease care irrespective of age or where they live.”
Mr Frank is the current IBO Intercontinental Flyweight Champion.