The
Greatest Gift – Organ Donation
Twenty years ago, Ken Gaston of Miramichi received a birthday gift that would change his life forever.
He received a heart from a donor he will never know.
He received the gift of life.
At the age of 23, Gaston’s life changed forever. As a healthy and active young man, Gaston was
working in Calgary for the summer to earn money for his university education. One evening in July he became ill, experiencing
shortness of breath, a persistent cough and inability to sleep.
“I waited for a week then went to the hospital. Initially, doctors thought I had pneumonia, however
the test results indicated differently,” says Gaston. “The x-rays showed that my heart was three times the size
it should be and I was immediately moved to the intensive care unit.”
He says doctors believe his heart was attacked and damaged by a virus, as he had no history of heart
problems, was physically fit, and did not smoke.
His parents and two sisters rushed to be by his side.
“We immediately went to be with him,” says his mother Excelda Gaston.
She says it was unbelievable to see him so sick.
“We remained by his side in Calgary and watched helplessly as his health deteriorated over the
next four months.”
Heart Transplant Only Option
His parents say the only option left was a heart transplant.
“Twenty years ago, transplantation was seen as futuristic and science fiction,” says Gaston.
He says his cardiac nurse in Calgary knew of a doctor in London, Ontario who was beginning to perform
heart transplants.
“She made a phone call and within a few days, I was on an air ambulance to London, Ontario.”
After several days of tests and the day of his birthday, Gaston was assessed as a successful candidate
for a heart transplant. Two days later, a heart became available from a donor in the United States and Gaston became one of
the youngest people in Canada to undergo this procedure.
“I was the thirteenth person in the country to have this procedure completed.”
A New Lease On Life
“When I woke up, I could feel, see, and hear my heart beating for the first time in four months.
It was an amazing feeling.”
He immediately noticed a dramatic improvement in his breathing.
After one and a half months of rehabilitation, Gaston came home to the Miramichi for Christmas and
by springtime he felt back to his old self.
“The experience changed me forever,” says Gaston. “I initially wanted to become an
English Professor however as a result of my experience, my focus changed to philosophy and biomedical ethics.”
He now has a career in health care and is employed by the Calgary Health Authority as a data base manager.
Gaston says his new heart gave him new life and he encourages others to live a healthy and active life.
“I work out every day, make healthy food choices, and make time for relaxation and rest.”
He shares his positive outlook on life and own personal experience with patients waiting for transplants
at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary.
“Many recipients have thoughts of being attached to an oxygen mask and a wheelchair for the rest
of their life. I reassure them that they can live a normal life and I am an example of that.”
Hundreds Waiting For An Organ
He says organ donation is the greatest gift you can give as it brings back life to another human being.
Kathryn Keith Irving, RN and corneal transplant coordinator with the Miramichi Regional Hospital says
that every year, hundreds of men, women, and children wait anxiously for a phone call that will save their lives.
Since the corneal donation/retrieval program started at the Miramichi Regional Hospital in January
2000, there have been 18 tissue donors and one multi-organ donor.
Organs and tissues include corneas, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas, bone, skin, and heart valves.
The Health Authority presently has two operating room nurses who are certified corneal retrieval technicians.
“At present there are approximately 260 patients in Atlantic Canada waiting for a corneal transplant,
of which half are from New Brunswick.”
Important To Discuss Topic With Your Family
“You can improve and save lives by choosing to be an organ and tissue donor,” says Keith
Irving.
She says if you want to be a donor, you must discuss it with your family and sign your donor card or
Medicare renewal form.
“The most important thing you can do is make your wishes known to your family and next-of-kin.”
Doctors will support the decision of the family at the time of death.
Organ and tissue donation is confidential. New Brunswick’s Human Tissue Act ensures complete
confidentiality for the donor. Unless the family gives permission for information to be released, or it is legally required,
only your immediate family need know about the donation.
“Your family may find comfort that someone else has hope for a better life.”
For further information about organ donation please contact Kathryn Keith Irving, RN and Corneal Retrieval
Technician at 623-3227.
