A Belfast woman who received a life-saving transplant has urged people to consider adding the ‘gift of life’ to their Christmas list and discuss their organ donation wishes with loved ones.
51-year-old Claire Hogarth was born with transposition of the greater arteries.
As she grew older her health deteriorated, but a transplant in 2003 has allowed her to celebrate her 50th birthday last year - a milestone she never thought would be possible.
“I was only able to produce 25% oxygen which made my breathing very weak and although I was able to go to mainstream school, I was out of school sick a lot,” she explained.
“By the time I was in my 20s, I needed a heart and double lung transplant and I was put on the waiting list shortly after my dad died from a heart attack.”
After a lengthy hospital stay, Claire was on the transplant waiting list for four years, with three false alarms.
“I was in a wheelchair and on oxygen 24/7 but I never thought for one minute that I wasn’t going to get the transplant and I kept a very positive attitude. Then in 2003, I was in London for my sister for the weekend and I got the call. I received my transplant on April 13 that year and it’s a date I will never forget.
“Since my transplant, I have been able to go on holiday abroad which I never thought I would be able to do. I got back into the workforce, got married, and saw my little sister get married and raise her family, who now have their kids.
“That huge difference was only made possible by the generosity of my donor and their loved ones. It’s not lost on me, the selfless act of donating part of a loved one to save a stranger. My donor was a 40-year-old female who suffered a brain aneurysm. Every year I celebrate I’m here I think of them.
“People have two options when they die - to have their organs buried with them or to use them to give someone the chance of a life.
“With a transplant, there is always the possibility of rejection of the organs, so the fear that that might happen is always there. If I do happen to need another transplant I would want to make sure they are available.”
As of September 12, 2024, there were 155 people on the organ donation waiting list in Northern Ireland.
Only 50% of families agree to the donation going ahead if they don’t know what their loved one wants, but this rises to 90% when their decision is known.
“Many people are happy to do it but not everyone talks about it,” said Claire.
“It’s vital people have these discussions because even with the implementation of Daithís law, which means you are automatically registered as a donor unless you opt out, your family will always be asked for their support for organ donation to go ahead, even if you’re on the Organ Donor Register. That’s why it is imperative to tell your family and friends and make them aware of your wishes.
“Organ donation is the most important gift you will ever give. In a world filled with wants, this gift won’t cost you a penny and will change a person’s life.”
