Heart transplant recipient celebrates the gift of life

A NORTHSIDE great grandfather, who owes his life to the generosity of an organ donor, will compete at the European Heart and Lung Transplant Games in Vilnius, Lithuania, next month.

Donabate man John Dowdall was given a second chance at life 11 years ago when he received a new heart after being on a life support machine for nine weeks.

John, who turns 75 in August, suffered a massive heart attack in 2003 while in hospital to get gallstones removed.

“Just before I was discharged I had the heart attack and was at death’s door,

? he told Northside People.

“It was completely unrelated to what I’d been originally in hospital for. I guess it was just one of those things and I was certainly in the right place to be treated.

“I don’t think I’d be alive if I hadn’t had the heart attack there.

?

The father-of-two has four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He counts his blessings that he received a heart and the successful transplant operation was completed in the Mater Hospital before it was too late.

“I’m ever so grateful and could never thank the donor and his or her family enough for the gift of life they gave me,

? he said.

“I write to the family a few times each year around Christmas time and the anniversary of my operation to let them know how I’m doing and how grateful I am to them. It’s all done anonymously.

“Hopefully it’s of some comfort to them to know that their loved one’s organ went to such good use.

“I don’t know who they are or anything about the donor. I could pass their family members on the street and neither of us would realise how closely we’re connected.

?

As a member of the Irish team, John is looking forward to competing in the games which take place from July 10-17.

“As in other years, I am participating in golf, athletics and swimming, all being well,

? he said.

At the last European Heart and Lung Transplant Games in Holland in 2012, John won a silver medal for golf and a silver medal for cross-country. He also won a gold medal for golf in Vichy, France, in 2008 and another gold in the same sport when Ireland hosted the European Transplant and Dialysis Games.

John said it’s a privilege to be taking part in the games. Like all the other athletes he acknowledges that he is a winner even before the event commences.

“It is a wonderful opportunity for me to honour my donor and donor family for giving me the most precious gift of all, life,

? he stated.

“Since I had the heart transplant, I have lived life to the full and am in grateful appreciation. My health is very good now and I never had any rejection to the transplant.

?

John said he and his wife, Peg, have wonderful memories of seeing their four grandchildren grow into strong young men and women and graduate.

“We also have two beautiful great grandchildren in Australia who we hope to meet in the not too distant future,

? he added.

“I wouldn’t have known them if I didn’t have the operation.

“I will always try my best to promote donor awareness. I realise how blessed my family and I are to have been given such a precious gift – to continue living,

? he added.

To request an organ donation card visit www.organdonation.ie or the Irish Kidney Association at www.ika.ie