Donor Heart for David
An easter miracle arrived for a young father of five waiting for a heart transplant.
David Rich's health was deteriorating because of his congestive heart failure and he was admitted to Auckland Hospital in April.
He felt like he wouldn't survive much longer.
But just two days later David and his wife Julie heard a donor heart was available. The 42-year-old Albany resident went into the operating theatre and the transplant was completed by 4am the following day.
Mr Rich's heart condition was particularly unusual because he has never smoked or drunk alcohol due to his Mormon beliefs.
He spoke to the North Shore Times about his dream for a new heart while waiting for a transplant.
The family urged more Kiwis to consider organ donation to help others like him.
Mr Rich's story ran in the paper on Good Friday – the day he had the surgery.
His wife Julie says the family feels "incredibly blessed" that the donor heart was available when he urgently needed it.
"It could not have happened any later," Mrs Rich says.
"He is walking around the ward and healing well. It is a beautiful gift that has been given to us.
"David would like to eventually contact the donor family to express his deepest gratitude.
"But he knows that this will not be easy because words will not be able to purely convey how he feels," she says.
Mr Rich is in hospital until next week before a four to six-week stay at Hearty Towers, where transplant patients are monitored and receive physiotherapy.
The experience has been stressful for the family but everyone is full of praise for the expert treatment he received.
"They have fulfilled their work duties with unmatched love, patience and compassion," Mrs Rich says.
"For the size of New Zealand we are fortunate to have such high quality healthcare and surrounded by unmatched health professional competency," she says.
By Liz Willis - North Shore Times
Photo by Ben Watson
