Patient Stories

This is a place to read about some amazing and inspiration people as they share their stories and experiences.

It is also an opportunity to tell us about yours whether you have had a heart, lung, VAD, liver, kidney or any other transplant. We know your journey is a special one and one that ought to be shared as sharing what you experienced, learnt and any advice you have to share may contribute to someone who may be facing or caring for someone who is or will be on a similiar journey.

You can share your experience with our website visitors by sending your story to us and we will add it to the site. Your encouraging words will be posted here to share with people around the world. (*)

Email your story and photographs to info@heartlungtransplantfoundation.org.au

YVONNE BALI
Yvonne’s story is one of determination, courage and inspiration. Yvonne began her crusade during her own battle for survival with a lung-related complaint and had to leave family and friends in Perth to travel to Melbourne for her life-saving transplant in September 1999. Being away from home was one of motivators for Yvonne to establish a lung transplant unit in WA. She did not want others to experience that kind of separation from loved-ones. Her dream came to fruition in November 2004 with the official opening heralded by the first lung transplant to take place in Perth. To find out more about Yvonne’s journey click here

JANE BARTLETT
This inspiring woman had a generous heart even before her heart transplant in November 2003 yet her journey from being a self professed ‘regular mum’ and run of the mill family living in Kalgoorlie to transplant is inspiring and a tribute to her and her close family unit. To find out more about this amazing lady click here.

RICHARD BINDAHNEEM
This gentle unassuming man inspires great courage and is a tribute to his family and friends. Richard had a heart and lung transplant in Melbourne more than 16 years ago. He is a founding member of the Foundation and an active Board member. He and wife Jency have overcome great odds and together with Richard's son, Ricky the trio are living their lives to the full. To read his story click here.

GORDON BLACK
Gordon was the first person in WA to receive a single right lung transplant in November 2004 after contracting Legionnaire’s disease, getting dust in his lungs from working as a farmer in the Wheatbelt and from the effects of smoking. Together with his wife Rona the pair made the very most of their second chance. Sadly Gordon passed away in March 2009 but despite his death the contribution he and Rona made and continue to make lives on. To find out more about Gordon’s story and the amazing generosity of Gordon and Rona click here.

DEREK CLARIDGE
Derek is one of those people that contributes 100 per cent to what he is doing. After migrating to Australia in the 60s with his wife, Mary, this couple overcame Derek's heart condition and transplant without looking back. Derek is an active member of numerous transplant community groups including being the Chair of the WA Transplant Support Group and Secretary of Transplant Australia WA. To share his story click here.

EVLYN HOSSACK
Wise beyond her years this young lady is a tribute to her family and an inspiration to young people everywhere. Evlyn Hossack was born with a congenital heart defect and in 2008 became the third person in Western Australia to have a heart and lung transplant. To read her story click here.

SIMONE MCMAHON
Simone is a kidney transplant recipient and a tribute to transplant recipients everywhere. This young woman was voted WA Young Australian of the Year 2008 and 2006, she played an important role as Chair of the Transplant Australia WA branch and volunteers with other organisations where ever and when ever she can. To read about Simone's journey click here.

TATIANA NEUSER-BOSTEL
WA’s first female heart and lung transplant recipient Tatiana Neuser-Bostel was born with a hole in her heart and at the age of three was diagnosed with Truncus Arteriosus with Ventricular Septal Defect or VSD.
Despite doctors predictions she wouldn’t see her 18th birthday Tatiana’s spirit and positive attitude meant she defied the odds. Taking challenges in her stride Tatiana explored parts of the world, found and fell in love with her husband Stephan, strived to maintain her health and in May 2007 Tatiana became the second person in WA to have a heart and lung transplant.
To share Tatiana’s story, including amazing photographs from her life-saving surgery, click here.

JAMIE STEWART
Jamie is a Cystic Fibrosis lung transplant recipient whose journey to transplant started when he was six months old. He is courageous and has taken more than just CF and transplantation in his stride. His love for life is a striking example for all. To share Jamie’s story click here.

 

 

(*) PLEASE NOTE: the Foundation retains the right to edit and/or decline to publish information this is considered by the management of the Foundation to be offensive or inappropriate