(L-R) Consultant Transplant Cardiologist Jonny Dalzell, Michelle, Morgan and Chris McComb and Director of Heart, Lung and Diagnostic Services Lynne Ayton
A bright young student has told how grateful she is to be back at university after receiving a heart transplant at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital only a year ago.
Morgan McComb, 21, says her life is back on track after having the life-saving treatment last November at the Clydebank facility, home to Scotland’s heart transplant service.
Last year, Morgan had to give up her studies on the first day of her Architecture degree at Glasgow School of Art after she was admitted to NHS Golden Jubilee and told by specialists she was being placed on the urgent transplant list.
But following the successful transplant operation, Morgan is now enrolled again on her course and has designs on building a bright career in architecture.
Morgan and her family are so grateful to her donor for her second chance of life. In recognition of this, they raised a massive £7600 for NHS Golden Jubilee.
Dad Chris organised a charity golf day at Gailes Links Golf Course in Irvine raising £5000; at a night at St Margaret’s Church Hall in Airdrie on Saturday (23 November), the family raised a further £2100; and Morgan’s gran, Renee, also collected £500 by selling arts and crafts she created.
Morgan, from Airdrie, said: “Even though there is no way to possibly thank everyone, we are all just so grateful for everything NHS Golden Jubilee and everyone else has done for me and we just wanted to give something back.
“Everyone has been absolutely amazing from the doctors to all the staff on the heart ward where I was, I just can’t put into words how thankful we are, it’s just unbelievable.
“Being in hospital doesn’t just affect the patient, it affects whole families and their friends. This is why I’d like the money we raised to help the families who are going through a similar experience.”
Morgan had suffered from problems with asthma since the age of just 10. However, due to palpitations and blackouts she was referred to a cardiologist in early 2017 and diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Following her diagnosis Morgan was fitted with defibrillator, but her condition worsened to the extent that a transplant was the only option to keep her alive.
And now, one year on and keeping well, she is determined to make the most of her second chance.
Morgan added: “If it wasn’t for my donor and their family I would not have this opportunity so I want to make the most of my life to show that their gift will mean something.”
Lynne Ayton, Director of Heart, Lung and Diagnostic Services, said: “It’s fantastic to hear that Morgan is doing so well a year on from her transplant and getting back to studying. Everyone here at NHS Golden Jubilee is extremely grateful for the family’s generosity.
“As the country’s home of heart transplants in Scotland our fantastic multi-disciplinary team is committed to improving the lives of the people of Scotland to recover and go on to live their lives to the full.”
Morgan’s mum Michelle said: “We would like to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for their love, support and generous donations we have received. We can’t put into words how grateful we are so we wanted to show our appreciation by giving something back to those who cared for Morgan and made her new life possible.”
