Heart recipient Ryan Gibbons shares story during DonateLife Week
It is DonateLife Week and to celebrate Bateau Bay’s Ryan Gibbons has shared his amazing story of when he thought he had the flu and ended up in hospital waiting for a new heart.
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Bateau Bay’s Ryan Gibbons was training for his first boxing fight when he started feeling unwell.
He was 16 at the time and, after a trip to hospital, received the shattering news his heart was failing.
“I had no idea what was going on,” he said.
“I thought it was the flu at first, but it hung around for two to three weeks. I wasn’t getting any better so my mum took me to Gosford Hospital.”
Mr Gibbons was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy, a condition which meant his heart could not pump blood effectively.
The same day he was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital where he had to remain, and hope for a new heart.
“I actually didn’t think too much of it, this is something you never think will happen to you,” he said.
Mr Gibbons was on the waiting list for just four weeks, and will always remember the day the doctor walked into his room with some life-changing news.
It was 6am when my favourite doctor came into my hospital room and told me I was getting a heart,” he said.
“I can’t describe the feeling. It was the best thing ever, I was so happy and just so grateful.”
In August 2017, he received his new heart and, now aged 18, he is back into boxing training and feeling amazing.
“I feel better than ever,” he said.
“That’s why I want to raise awareness during DonateLife week, as many people aren’t as lucky as I was.
“There are no words to express how grateful my family and I are that I was given the gift of life.
“At such a sad time for my donor’s family they made such a heroic decision to save my life.”
Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) is encouraging locals to register to be an organ and tissue donor and to speak to their loved ones about their wishes.
More than 1400 Australians are on wait lists for a lifesaving or life-transforming transplant.
“Families almost always say yes to organ donation when their loved one had previously registered and they knew what they wanted,” CCLHD Organ Donation Coordinator Yoni Hope-Hodgetts said.
“Please take the time register and speak to your family and friends. One conversation can save and transform the lives of up to 10 people and improve the lives of many more.”
In Australia you can no longer register your donation decision via your driver’s licence.
The Australian Organ Donor Register is the only register to record your decision to become an organ and tissue donor.
You can register to be an organ and tissue donor at www.donatelife.org.au.
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