A CARDIAC patient who beat survival odds has proved his heart is in the right place after pledging £1,000 to the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
After an operation to repair a hole in his heart, freight operator Mark Abbott, 59, is so grateful to be alive that he decided to help the charity with its fight against cardiovascular disease.
Diagnosed with Angina in 2009, Mark had stents fitted – a procedure in which a metal tube is left in the artery to ensure that the vessel stays open for longer and the blood supply is unrestricted.
But last September, he was rushed to hospital with chest pains and advised that in addition to a murmur, he had a 28mm hole in his heart and would need open heart surgery – and told he only had a 25 to 50 percent chance of survival.
Mark said: “I am currently nearly half way through my Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme at Hospital of St Cross, Rugby and really appreciate all the support I have received from the nurses.
“I know they have my best interests at heart and genuinely care about me, even when they are encouraging me to push myself a little bit harder.
“They are extraordinary; I regard them as my friends as well as nurses.”
BHF Fundraising Manager Donna Stokes thanked Mark for his generous donation.
She said: “The research funded by the charity has helped to save people’s lives and we are very proud to be able to support our dedicated health care professionals.
“We know that Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurses not only help people to make a better physical recovery but also provide the support people need when they are feeling scared and vulnerable. We wish Mark all the best in his recovery process.”
The BHF Alliance is a free membership scheme that aims to support health care professionals who work with people affected by cardiovascular disease (CVD). Members receive free resources and access to learning and development grants from the charity.
BHF’s lifesaving work can only continue thanks to vital donations of time and money. Call Donna Stokes on 07714 069132 or email [email protected] to find out more about organising fundraising events for the BHF, volunteering or other ways you can help.
