Time is running out for Plymouth man with two hearts
A MAN who had an electric heart fitted following two near fatal heart attacks has said he is "running out of time" and has urged people to join The Herald's Gift of Life campaign.
Fifty-year-old Chris Marshall, from Wembury, had a mechanical heart fitted in July 2010.
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ABOVE: Chris Watson is urging people to join The Herald's Gift of Life campaign BELOW: The electric heart that keeps Chris alive
He was close to death several times until the LVAD (left ventricular assist device) was implanted at Harefield Hospital.
Chris has been on the waiting list for a heart transplant for nearly two years now and as yet hasn't received one call to say a suitable heart has been found.
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He said: "There seems to be lots of ladies' hearts available but not many men's. The heart has got to be a perfect match, it also has to come from someone who was a similar height to me or taller to make sure the heart isn't under any excess strain, and has to be the right blood match too.
"You just don't know how long it's going to take to get a heart. I was told by doctors at Harefield that my mechanical heart could last a couple of years. I know someone who had one for three or four years but I'm running out of time.
"I need a new heart as soon as possible. I live for each day and go for it. I feel like a ticking time bomb. Every day I don't know whether the heart will give out or not. It's a weird life."
Chris said a new electrical heart could be fitted if his current one breaks and a donor still hasn't been found, but that every time he is cut open his chances of survival decrease.
He is urging the people of Plymouth to sign the Organ Donor Register and back The Herald's campaign to get another 1,000 people to become donors.
He said: "It's not just your heart that you could donate, it's everything. You could save three or four lives and could help a whole family who are suffering.
"I totally support The Herald's Gift of Life campaign. There are so many people like myself with so much left to give. I can still make a difference, I try to every day. But I need people to give me a chance.
"It makes me angry and also very surprised to know that only 30 per cent of the city's population are signed up to the register, especially when the government have been pushing it and it still hasn't gone up."
Chris said he wants to see the law changed to an opt-out system, meaning everyone would automatically be an organ donor unless they chose not to be.
Comments
by CharlieDodd
Sunday, October 21 2012, 4:00AM
“..Chris said- 'I'm very surprised to know that only 30 per cent of the city's population are signed up to the register'..
Perhaps a lot more carry a donor card but have simply never registered.
I've carried a card for years but have never signed the register, I didn't know we had to?”
by maurice_77
Saturday, October 20 2012, 11:00PM
“By Maurice H Marshall
To 'The Herald' (Reporter Sophie Taylor) ... Re The Herald 'Gift of Life' Campaign
LVAD Heart patient Chris Marshall has contributed his personal story as he waits for a heart transplant, to support your campaign to encourage Herald readers to sign the Organ Donor Register.
It is unfortunate that The Herald has incorrectly quoted a name of Chris WATSON as caption to the photograph of Chris Marshall. This does not detract from the focus of your article, but it would have been courteous to have got the name right.
Best wishes with this worthwhile campaign to save lives and offer hope to patients and their families and loved ones.”
by wellyboot66
Saturday, October 20 2012, 10:32PM
“Chris Watson? Bring on opt- out.”
by ChrisMarshall
Friday, October 19 2012, 12:58PM
“I've just watched a friend register to be a donor online. It' was so easy to do and it gives you the option on which organs you wish to donate. Many people I have spoken to say they don't want to donate their eyes! There's an option to choose that when registering.
It only took my friend 5 minutes to complete the registration and the donor card will be sent to the home address quite quickly. I think it made her day!
To the Herald "Who is Chris Watson?"
Regards,
Chris Marshall (with LVAD, waiting for a new heart)”