Dave and I have decided to walk the Bristol 10K this year to raise money for Royal Papworth Charity where Dave is currently on the active waiting list for a heart transplant. We are also lucky to be joined by a team of friends who are running the course in support of this brilliant cause.

Here is a bit more information about the specific DCD transplantation fund we are supporting and the amazing work the team at Royal Papworth Hospital do:

In response to the worldwide shortage of donor hearts for transplantation, a research team at Royal Papworth Hospital, supported by Royal Papworth Hospital Charity has developed a new technique that significantly increases the number of hearts available for transplantation.

The research shows that heart transplants from a new group of potential donors – known as DCD transplantation or ‘Non-Beating Heart Transplantation’ – could save hundreds of lives internationally as the heart transplant waiting list continues to grow. This innovative technique had enabled surgeons at Royal Papworth Hospital to utilise donor hearts which were previously considered too damaged to transplant.

Unfortunately every year, hundreds of patients still die through the lack of available organs for transplantation. This new procedure has enabled Royal Papworth Hospital to increase the number of people receiving a heart transplant at Royal Papworth Hospital by almost 40% over the last four years.

 Each and every life saved through this ground-breaking procedure has been made possible through the generous donations of Royal Papworth Hospital supporters and we can only continue with further charitable support.

Royal Papworth Hospital has always ensured that it puts patients and their families at the heart of everything it does. The Charity is committed to supporting patients and their carers and seeks to enhance the support it provides to the Hospital. Charitable funds have enabled the Hospital to provide care beyond that of NHS funding alone, enhancing the Hospital’s status as the UK’s leading provider of specialist cardiothoracic care and the country’s main heart and lung transplant centre.