Patrick and Peter’s story

Peter and Patrick both received heart transplants after having complications from an inherited heart muscle condition.

Patrick had his transplant first, then less than a year later at Christmas time, Peter got the call he had been waiting for.

Before his transplant, Peter had an internal defibrillator (ICD) fitted, which fired 3 times while he waited for a donor heart, potentially saving his life.

Both transplants were successful, thanks to decades of scientific research with the help of British Heart Foundation’s (BHF’s) support.

We are here because of people donating to British Heart Foundation. That’s why we’re alive.

Peter

Advances in heart transplants

Since the early days of transplantation, researchers supported by BHF have helped make donor hearts safer to preserve, improved transplant survival and deepened our understanding of why the body sometimes rejects a donor heart.

Today, BHF continues to fund pioneering research to improve long-term transplant outcomes, and tackle the challenges that patients still face after surgery.

For Patrick and Peter, that progress has meant more birthdays, more memories and more time with the people they love.

Patrick and Peter’s story shows how donations can become a gift that keeps on living, helping keep loved ones here for more Christmases to come.