A CO KILDARE woman who was the subject of a campaign for an urgently needed heart transplant in 2003, is to represent Ireland at the international Transplant Games in Sweden later this month.
Sandra Johnson, who received the transplant after she developed a virus which attacked part of her heart muscle, is to take part in the 13th European Heart and Lung Transplant Games.
A mother of three, an artist and an art teacher, Ms Johnson spends an hour in the gym and 30 minutes in the pool, three times a week, at the Osprey leisure centre in Naas.
She has entered four swimming heats and one cross-country walking competition in the games, which take place from June 30th to July 4th in Vaxjo.
“I wanted to do this to raise awareness of the importance of being an organ donor,” Ms Johnson said. She spent her time before her transplant in intensive care in Dublin’s Mater hospital. She was attached to a machine which helped her damaged heart to function but she could not survive independently.
“Any medals we raise are dedicated to the donors and their families who gave us this chance, the competition is dedicated to them.”
According to the Irish Heart and Lung Transplant Association, transplants are now a routine medical procedure. Recipients are living much longer and enjoying a good quality of life.
Eleven heart transplants were carried in the Republic’s designated centre of excellence at the Mater in 2009, up from four in 2008. Lung transplants have also increased, while kidney transplants at Beaumont hospital in Dublin hit an all-time high at 172.
Ms Johnson warned however that the number of donors signing on between last Christmas and this week was again falling. “I would appeal to people to get an organ donor card form their local chemist or to tick the box on their driving licences or passports.”
Information on the games, sponsorship or becoming an organ donor is available on the association website on www.ihlta.com
