Colin Manderson reveals heart transplant journey at Donate Life Buderim ceremony

A Sunshine Coast grandad and ex-bricklayer who was only in his 40s when he collapsed at work, has revealed his arduous journey and the moment he was “dead for six minutes” before a stranger gave him the ultimate gift.

Colin Manderson speaking about his heart transplant at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Buderim on June 8, 2024. Picture: Sam Turner

A Sunshine Coast grandfather has described his new lease on life after receiving a new heart.

Colin Manderson recalled his world closing in on him before being “virtually dead” for six minutes during his battle with heart failure before he was gifted a donor heart in 2016.

The accomplished bricklayer spoke of his arduous medical journey on Saturday at Donate Life’s Service of Remembrance held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Buderim.

In his own words he was a “very fit tradie” in his 40s when he collapsed twice at a worksite in 1997.

After several tests with a GP and heart specialist he was diagnosed with left ventricular cardiomyopathy, commonly known as heart failure.

Mr Manderson said he went from being an active and healthy family man to not being able to walk 50m without stopping due to being short of breath.

“The hardest part was after being fit and strong all of my life and watching people having to do simple things for me,” he said.

“I was totally hopeless and that sort of knocks you around mentally because you’re taking away a man’s masculinity.”

Colin Manderson with “Kong”, an affectionate name his gave his donor heart. Picture: Sam Turner

Medical professionals believed a bout of bronchitis for the bricklayer turned into pneumonia, which resulted in the virus attacking muscle tissue around his heart.

The grandfather said he “hit the deck” three times due to cardiac arrest after his diagnosis, and had to have internal defibrillators fitted three times. Each time these devices fired when he collapsed and would save his life.

Mr Manderson said his third time was in a hospital’s TV room where he had a major cardiac arrest. It lasted six minutes.

He said if it wasn’t for a man who happened upon him by pure coincidence, it could’ve been fatal.

Mr Manderson said it was a near death experience.

“You’re like a great white shark looking for oxygen, I’ll never forget that,” he said.

“I was virtually dead for six minutes.”

The 68-year-old said he was dead for six minutes after his third cardiac arrest due to heart failure. Picture: Sam Turner

The former bricklayer likened his brush with death to an old television turning off, when the light goes down into a little dot, and then it’s “game over”.

A successful medication regime along with an implant heart pump kept Mr Manderson on a stable path however he suffered some complications along the way.

In April 2016 while in hospital the grandfather was told a donor heart was found for him.

He was prepared for the transplant overnight however this golden opportunity was short lived.

He was told it was more suitable for someone else.

Mr Manderson said he was naturally disappointed but knew he bought some time with his pump and wished the person receiving the vital organ all the best.

Thankfully he was swiftly taken from this state of limbo and told the next night they found a “beautiful heart” which was perfect for him.

Later that day he received a new heart which changed his life forever.

Mr Manderson said he anonymously spoke to the heart donor’s mother through DonateLife Queensland’s writing service and waited for the right time to write to her after the initial grief.

He said he wrote to tell her “Kong”, an affectionate name he gave his heart, would be at the dinner table every Christmas.

“It’s never been about me, he’s the hero in the story,” Mr Manderson said.

Mr Manderson said the transplant changed his life immensely and helped him return to doing the things he loved and allowed him to see his sons get married and have children of their own.