Twenty patients have returned to Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge to celebrate 10 years of a new type of heart transplant which has saved all of their lives.
Heart transplant recipients returned to Royal Papworth Hospital
In February 2015, our hospital became the first in Europe to perform a heart transplant using a non-beating heart.
Before this, donor hearts had only been available from people who died a brain-stem death (DBD), but whose hearts were still beating.
The new technique transplants hearts from donors after their heart has stopped functioning, known as donation after circulatory death (DCD).
Royal Papworth teams have now performed 134 DCD heart transplants, the highest number of any UK centre and one of the highest in the world.
Twenty of those recipients came together in Cambridge alongside the NHS teams who helped to save their lives.
Annette Tremlin
Annette Tremlin, 68, was one of the first people in the UK to receive a DCD heart transplant, in June 2015.
“It has been amazing to see people that I’ve not seen for the last 10 years that are still healthy and living good quality lives.
“The biggest thing my transplant has allowed me to do is watch my grandchildren grow up. All six of them were under five years-old when I had my transplant and my biggest fear at that time was that I wouldn’t be part of their lives. Now they’re teenagers and it’s just amazing.
“Heart failure stops you in your tracks. Transplant has allowed me to live a normal life again.”
Liam Kay
Liam Kay, 35, from Hitchin, Hertfordshire, received his DCD heart transplant in 2022, becoming the 106th recipient at Royal Papworth.
Since having his operation, he has now returned work for a national hotel chain as a pricing analyst.
“Having my transplant allowed me to go back to work, and nearly three years on I am able do everything that I could do before my transplant.
“I actually started salsa dancing twice-a-week, too. It was never something I wanted to do before. My brother started and I thought I’d give it a go, too.
“I wouldn’t have been able to do this prior to my transplant, I was far too sick.”
This transplant technique was pioneered through years of research led by Royal Papworth surgeons Mr Stephen Large and Mr Steven Tsui, supported by funding from Royal Papworth Charity.
Mr Stephen Large (left) with Terry Tomlin, the third DCD heart recipient in the UK
Mr Large, a consultant cardiac surgeon, said: “It has been wonderful to see some of our first DCD heart patients living healthy and fulfilling lives.
“We would not have been able to do this without them putting their trust in us, so thank you.
“We also cannot do what we do without the gift of organ donation. People agreeing to donate their organs, and sharing that wish their loved ones, is so important. Families will always be consented before donation happens, so it is crucial that people know your wishes.”
Maurice Millanaise
Maurice Millanaise, 71, from Croydon in south London had his operation in 2017.
Previously a project manager for a Japanese bank, he is now a volunteer for the National Trust.
“Today has been excellent, meeting other recipients and staff. I knew a couple of people here but otherwise it has been great to meet new people, all of whom have the same conversations about how well they’re feeling post-transplant.
“I love my volunteering as a ranger’s assistant. We’re out cutting down trees, moving logs. It’s very physical and not something I could have done pre-transplant.
“Many of us probably wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Royal Papworth Hospital and DCD heart transplantation.”