A Christmas Gift from the Heart: Grateful Family thanks NHS Golden Jubilee
A heart transplant patient’s family has given an early Christmas gift to NHS Golden Jubilee by raising over £10,000 to thank the team for saving their daughter’s life.
Ashley Smith, 45, from Annan, decided she wanted to give something back to the Scottish National Advanced Heart Failure Service (SNAHFS) that saved her daughter, Lucy Smith, 23, following from her heart transplant.
After spending long hours at Lucy’s bedside, especially through the night, Ashley noticed the need for more comfortable seating options. Inspired to make a difference, she decided to set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for a chair bed for the ward, ensuring a more restful and supportive experience for families in similar situations.
Ashley said: “Sitting at Lucy's bedside for long hours, prompted me to fundraise for a chair bed which could improve sleep for both patients and families. We managed to raise £2,500 within a few hours and eventually closed at over £5,000”.
The chair bed, designed in line with healthcare standards, was donated to the heart transplant ward, where it has been a valuable resource for both patients and families, offering much-needed comfort and support. In addition to the chair bed, Ashley used the extra funds to support the health and wellbeing of all staff within the ward.
Ashley and her family then organised a second fundraiser, which included a raffle, football cards, and scratch cards. This event raised another £5,000 for smartwatches, bringing the total to £10,000, all of which was donated to our physiotherapy team.
Ashley added, “I felt it was important to support other departments within the hospital and therefore donated smartwatches to the physiotherapy team. These devices enable the team to track patients' activities and heart rates, helping them maintain physical fitness—a critical factor in Lucy's recovery.
“I want to express my gratitude to the staff within the Scottish National Advanced Heart Failure Unit and the teams across NHS Golden Jubilee for their incredible support and care throughout Lucy's journey. They were like part of the family and made the hospital feel like a second home."
Gordon James, Chief Executive of NHS Golden Jubilee, commented: "On behalf of everyone at NHS Golden Jubilee, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Smith family for their incredible generosity.
“Their donation will have a profound impact on the lives of future heart patients across Scotland, enabling us to continue delivering world-class care and support to those in need."
NHS Golden Jubilee in Clydebank under the care of the Scottish National Advanced Heart Failure Service (SNAHFS).
NHS Golden Jubilee has been the sole provider of Scottish heart transplants since 2008 and has now carried out more than 250 within the Golden Jubilee University Hospital.
Lucy’s story
Lucy Smith, 23 began experiencing signs of heart failure 3 years ago, before her condition was diagnosed in earlier year.
Despite being prescribed anxiety relief tablets and taking high blood pressure medication since she was 19, Lucy's condition worsened. This led to an ectopic rhythm, an extra heartbeat and a severe episode where she couldn't breathe and was in pain, leading to a hospital visit. After being discharged with medication, she later passed out in her bathroom, which led to further tests revealing severe heart failure and the need for more extensive checks.
After being transferred to the Golden Jubilee for more specialised care, Lucy underwent various treatments, including a balloon pump and plasmapheresis, before receiving a heart transplant in May.
After a long surgery and with the help of the multidisciplinary recovery team, Lucy’s surgery was a complete success, giving her a new lease of life.
Lucy said: “The day of my transplant, was both the scariest and most hopeful day of my life. I was terrified, but I also knew it was my best chance at a healthy future. When I woke up after the surgery, I felt an immense sense of gratitude, not just for the medical team, but for the selfless donor who gave me this precious gift of life and I'm determined to make the most of the second chance I've been given.”
Post-transplant, Lucy has been managing her medication and recovering well. She plans to pass her driving test and pursue a career in nursing. Lucy wants to help others by sharing her experiences and providing support.
Anne Marie Cavanagh, Nurse Director at NHS Golden Jubilee, added: “As Scotland's only heart transplant unit, we are absolutely delighted to see Lucy's remarkable recovery. This is a testament to the exceptional care, dedication, and expertise of our specialist team.
“We are committed to delivering the highest quality care and outcomes for our patients, and Lucy's story is a powerful reminder of the impact this can have. Our mission is to provide the best care possible, and moments like this reaffirm why we do what we do.”
The Smith family also said that they will be forever grateful to the team who supported Lucy throughout her journey and generosity to those who donated for a fantastic cause.
