Pictured are members of the McManus family with Margaret Ritchie MP at the Organ Donation Fundraiser event held at Eclipse Cinema Downpatrick in support of Tommy McManus who is awaiting a heart transplant and to encourage people to sign the organ donation register. Left to right is Lisa Hagen, Patrick McManus, Margaret Ritchie, Tom McManus, Tommy McManus and Roisin Taggart.

Eclipse Cinemas Downpatrick recently held a fundraising event in support of organ donation. The event was inspired by local man Tommy McManus, who is currently on the transplant waiting list to receive a heart. This is his story:

Tommy, now 41, was born with congenital heart defect. He underwent successful open heart surgery at the age of two to correct the flow of blood through his heart, and as a result was able to lead a relatively normal life. However, last year Tommy began to feel very run down, and noticed that he was putting on weight. Over a seven-month period his condition got progressively worse, culminating on 2nd July 2015, when he suffered cardiac arrest at Royal Hospital in Belfast.

Tommy had been diagnosed with severe heart failure, which had impacted his liver and kidneys which were also failing. Doctors were gravely concerned and felt that Tommy’s only hope for survival was to be admitted to a specialist hospital in Newcastle Upon Tyne; The Freeman Hospital. Thankfully, a bed became available and he was airlifted there the following day. There he learned that he needed a heart transplant.

In the weeks which followed, Tommy was assessed and stabilised. Although he needed a new heart, his health was so poor that he was not eligible for transplant. After five weeks in hospital he was finally well enough to undergo surgery to fit a mechanical heart pump called an LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device). The pump is inserted into the heart, and takes on the role of supplying blood to the body. Essentially, this gives the heart a break allowing for a certain element of recovery. Tommy was discharged, and although he is permanently attached to the equipment controlling his pump, he has been recovering well.

For Tommy, the pump is not a long term solution. He continues to suffer from heart failure. However, it has allowed Tommy’s health to improve to the point where he is now a suitable candidate for a transplant. He hopes that he will not have to wait long on ‘the call’.

Tommy and his family are extremely grateful for the support shown to them by family and friends, and by the exceptional level of care given to Tommy at the Freeman Hospital. This inspired them to organise a charity event to raise funds for the hospital, and also to promote the extraordinary gift organ donation is.

The event at Eclipse Cinema, where Tommy’s sister Roisin is the manager had guests enjoy a red carpet reception followed by a mystery movie, as well as hearing touching accounts from transplant recipients of their own personal experiences. The event was supported by the British Heart Foundation NI and the NI Transplant Association, and was hugely successful. Over £7,500 was raised, but most importantly, it increased awareness of organ donation, and encouraged others to sign the register.

Did you know that one person can save up to nine lives by donating their organs? You can sign the donor register today at www.organdonation.nhs.uk