March 1, 2016
Karen Hamilton, a double-lung transplant recipient, shares her life-changing story with radio host Ryan Jespersen of 630 CHED during Heart Pledge Day in support of the University Hospital Foundation and the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute.
Story by Kerri Robins; photo courtesy of University Hospital Foundation
EDMONTON — Radio listeners called in more than $170,000 in support of patient care, innovation and high priority needs at the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute at this year’s 630 CHED Heart Pledge Day.
The annual event — held Feb. 24 in partnership with the University Hospital Foundation (UHF) — has raised almost $1.5M since its inception in 2004.
On this day, many patients step forward to share their stories, including double-lung transplant recipient Karen Hamilton.
Born with Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disease that affects the digestive system and lungs, the 30-year-old Taber mother of three-month-old twins already knew that, at some point in her life, she would likely need a lung transplant.
On oxygen around-the-clock, Hamilton found it too difficult to care for her babies on her own. In late summer 2013 she was referred to the Maz where, after an assessment, she was placed on the wait list for a double-lung transplant.
Doctors told her to expect up to a two-year wait for a donor-tissue match, and that she may not make it that long.
After three months, however, Hamilton got her double lung transplant on Christmas Eve. Prior to transplantation, the donor lungs were repaired by surgeon/researchers Dr. Darren Freed and Dr. Jayan Nagendran, as part of their UHF-funded research program.
“Her transplanted lungs would not have been able to be used without ex vivo,” says Dr. Freed. “It’s a great example of how this is procedure is saving lives.”
Ex vivo, a Latin term for ‘outside of the body’, refers to a therapy applied to lungs prior to transplantation to make them suitable for transplant. Essentially, donated lungs must be transported in coolers of ice (lungs in a box), which can cause some damage to the lungs. Ex vivo is a device which allows the lungs to remain oxygenated.
“I had my surgery in the Maz and recovered in the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) and received world-class care,” says Karen, “I had to do my part and fight, but they did the rest for me.”
Joyce Mallman Law, President of the University Hospital Foundation, says: “630 CHED Heart Pledge Day exemplifies the power of a community coming together to support a wonderful cause.”
Today, Karen says she feels much better — and now has the strength to be the Mom she once dreamed of being.
“I’m so thankful every day that I can do just simple things with them, like taking them for walks or going to the park.… It’s a real big blessing for sure.”
For more information, please visit universityhospitalfoundation.ab.ca
