Celebrating 35 years more life with a heart transplant
Colleagues at Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's (NHFT) Danetre Community Hospital celebrated an incredible 35-year milestone with one of their patients, Lewis Sander, who is the longest surviving heart transplant patient in Northamptonshire.
Lewis was beaming with smiles as nurses and other healthcare professionals marked his heart transplant anniversary with him. The team made him a cake with heart sweets, a heart shaped necklace and decorated his room with a heart banner.
Lewis, now aged 76, had a heart transplant 35 years ago, after a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy, where the muscles around the heart weaken. Lewis said: "I felt very lucky to be given a healthy 26-year-old male heart when I was 41 years old. I still feel very lucky.
"I think people should talk about organ donation with their family or next-of-kin, even if you already carry a card or you're on the organ donation register, so that the family will be prepared for the major decisions involved in organ donation.
Lewis is currently at Danetre Community Hospital for rehabilitation, following a 4-month stay at Northampton General Hospital. Lewis spoke very fondly of the staff and his time so far at Danetre:
"All the staff are wonderful, and I am receiving excellent care. The service is very good, and I would recommend Danetre as a place of care to family and friends.''
Jo Bale, staff nurse at Northamptonshire Healthcare, has been caring for Lewis, she said: "As a team we are dedicated to making a difference for our patients. It is such a special anniversary for Lewis, we wanted to make sure it was celebrated properly. It was lovely to see Lewis' reaction!
"I think its important for individuals to consider donation, I have registered, and it makes me happy knowing I could give someone a second chance to live.''
There are more than 8,000 patients, including nearly 300 children, on transplant waiting lists, but last year there was a 2% drop in life-saving transplants.
Lewis' story shows what a difference organ donation has made to him, living almost half of his life with his new heart. If you have been inspired by Lewis' story, you can check if you are on the organ donor register and sign up today. Register your decision - NHS Organ Donation It's also a good idea to talk to family and friends about your decision and to let them know if you are on the organ donor register.
For more information about Danetre Community hospital visit: https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/adult-community-beds