I am competing in the Sheffield Half Marathon on Sunday 26th September in remembrance of my dear friend Jim Lynskey, to raise awareness of Jim’s incredible campaign (Save9Lives), sharing his legacy and promoting the important discussion around organ donation.

Please see story below:

Just after birth, Jim and his twin sister - Grace - contracted viral meningitis, which led to the enlargement and weakening of Jim’s heart - a condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy which often leads to heart transplantation. Jim’s family were advised that a transplant would one day be necessary for him.

At the age of eight, Jim suffered consecutive cardiac arrests which led to the insertion of an implantable cardioverter-defibrilator (ICD). He also received ablation treatment to help control his abnormal heart rhythms.

It was decided that a Left Ventricle Assisted Device (LVAD) was Jim’s only hope of survival, with his tiring organs unable to accommodate a transplanted human heart.

In September 2016, I was lucky enough to become acquainted with such a genuine and likeable individual whilst starting my studies at Sheffield Hallam University. It was, by now, near the end of his expected three-year wait for a new heart.

However, In October 2017, his LVAD faulted. This was extremely rare; it had never happened in the UK before and it meant that his pump had to be changed as an emergency. The surgery was unexpectedly complicated; it took almost thirteen hours and he was put into an induced coma, overlapping his 22nd birthday that lasted for ten days.

After recovery, Jim was able to organise a vast number of events for his founded charity Save9Lives, an organ donation campaign that vibrantly advocates their message that one organ donor could save or enhance up to nine lives through transplant.

Through Jim's hard work, it allowed the campaign to be recognised at a national level and also by the likes of Lewis Capaldi (Singer) and James Taylor (England National Cricketer)

Unfortunately for us all, Jim sadly passed away on 13 May 2019. Jim was undergoing a procedure to help with the pain caused by his LVAD heart pump, which had some complications. He was still on the waiting list for a heart transplant.

Jim's LVAD was always seen as a bridge to transplant when it was fitted in 2015. Unfortunately the shortage of hearts in the UK meant he never had the chance to get a new life off batteries.

Many of Jim's organs failed during his deterioration, but we all hope that Jim was able to benefit another person in need with the donation of his tissues and corneas.