RAISING FUNDS FOR HAREFIELD HOSPITAL

In December 2016 with no warning I suddenly became ill with breathlessness and tiredness. Within a month I had been diagnosed with heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy. Despite being prescribed a large number of medications and admission to the Royal Sussex County Hospital for several weeks my condition rapidly deteriorated. In the middle of April 2017 I was transferred to Harefield Hospital where I spent the next five months.

On 14 August 2017 I was fortunate enough to undergo a heart transplant.

It is difficult for me to express my gratitude to the NHS and all those staff at Harefield Hospital (including the cleaners, radiologists, nurses, catering staff, cardiologists and the surgical team led by Mr Ulrich Rosendahl) who cared for me.

In addition I will always be aware of the gift made by the the donor and the loss experienced by their family.

I am now seeking to raise what funds I can for Harefield Hospital to help other patients who may one day need a transplant, in particular through the purchase of Organ Care System machines, one of which was used during my transplant.

Can I also encourage everyone to become an organ donor as it is, as I know, the most precious gift that can be given to anyone.

John Bradbury