A father of two who underwent a life-saving heart transplant has raised over £130,000 to support patients undergoing heart and lung transplants.
Dermot Kearney turned 48 in the Intensive Care Unit at the Freeman Hospital after his heart transplant earlier this year.
He had spent seven months in hospital waiting for a donor heart as his own heart slowly deteriorated when he got the call to say there was a suitable one available. Dermot’s wife Caroline travelled from their home in Ireland to be with him for the surgery.
“It was our fourth offer and we were both ready for it to happen,” said Dermot.
“The first time you don’t know any better and you think it is going to happen that time. Then you learn that not every heart is suitable and for the surgery to be successful we needed the best heart that we could get.
“It’s a roller coaster of it’s going ahead, then it isn’t going ahead. It was great to reach that stage, such a relief.”
His wife Caroline, 47, and their teenage sons James and Conor remained in their home in Maghera, County Derry.
“You just don’t know and every day you’re waiting for a phone call, your life is on hold. I was juggling family and our business, going back and forward when I could,” she said.
“Without the family donating the heart Dermot could still be in the Freeman waiting, many people still wait a long time.”
James and Conor, who are both autistic, travelled with their mum to see their dad in hospital regularly, staying nearby on the quayside and seeing Caroline’s aunt who lives in the city.
“The people of Newcastle have been so welcoming and they were like family in the Melia hotel we stayed in on the quayside. Sometimes we didn’t know if we would be there for a week or a month, they just worked around us,” added Caroline.
Dermot first began having symptoms during a family holiday when he began coughing. A trip to the doctor and referral for tests revealed he had atrial fibrillation and a subsequent heart MRI scan diagnosed dilated cardiomyopathy. Whilst this could be treated with medication, further tests revealed that the other side of his heart was damaged as a valve was damaged beyond repair.
Doctors told him he needed to be assessed to see if he was a suitable candidate for a potential new heart, and he went on the transplant waiting list in September 2020.
He remained at home in Ireland until he went into hospital as an inpatient where he stayed for nine months in total.
“I made a lot of life-long friends with patients and staff whilst I was in hospital. When I woke up in ITU I knew I wanted to fundraise and give back.”
Dermot was true to his word and organised A Night in the Wild Duck at Port Glenone which included an auction, raffle and buffet with over 400 people in attendance and raised £130,000 for The Freeman Heart and Lung Transplant Association with donations still coming in.
Other heart transplant recipients from the Freeman Hospital attended the event along with Claire McCloskey who underwent a lifesaving heart operation this year and along with her family helped organise the evening.
Now Dermot wants to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation after his heart transplant which has given him a second chance at life.
“Where would I be now without the generosity of the donor’s family. It’s such a wonderful gift. I’m 48 now and hopefully have many more years to spend with my family,” he said.
“I had a few friends in there who didn’t make it. I consider myself one of the lucky ones to come out the other side. We are very blessed that someone gave us that gift.”
“It is a difficult decision for families, but we have encouraged our own family to sign up for organ donation.”
The family are looking forward to spending Christmas at home together after spending the festive period in hospital accommodation at the Freeman Hospital last year.
“We were together but what a difference from last year to this year, we’re going to have Christmas dinner the four of us and just enjoy being together at home.”
Newcastle Hospitals cardiothoracic transplant co-ordinator Alison Davidson was also at the event in November.
She said: “Dermot is such a wonderful example of the magic of transplant and a reminder of how saying yes to donation really does save lives.
“I remain in awe of the incredible selflessness of donor families who, when faced with the most heart breaking time of their lives, make the brave decision to donate their loved one’s organs which can go on to save the lives of up to seven people.
“What an incredible gift to give to someone you’ve never met. However – there are still so many people who need organs and very sadly a lot of people will die waiting. This is why it is so important to have the conversation with your loved ones so if the worst was to happen, they know what your wishes are.”
Adele Lambert, chair of the Freeman Heart and Lung Transplant Association said: “The donation is absolutely amazing! When I spoke to Dermot and he told me, I was amazed as it’s a staggering amount. It’s going to be a great help and enable us to provide so many things to support patients, their families and carers.”
The charity helps to fund research in the hospitals, accommodation for families at the Freeman Hospital and respite breaks as well as mental health resources and support for patients both pre and post-transplant.
