Maria's story
For those who don't know, my wife Maria has Cystic Fibrosis.
She spent much of her childhood years being
very ill indeed and soon after we got married
she became so poorly, that she spent many months
in the Royal Brompton hospital.
She became so ill that the only option she had left
was to have a life saving transplant.
So it was, that
fifteen years ago she underwent
that most dramatic surgery, a Heart & Lung Transplant
at Harefiled hospital, performed by
the world famous Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub.
This was Maria in a pretty bad way, in the Royal Brompton hospital
waiting for the opportunity of a new chance at life.
Seen here with one of her Physiotherapists, Sally (nee) Socket, early 1991.
Her brave smile belies the pain and suffering she endured
and constant treatment and physiotherapy.
To mark this 15th anniversary milestone,
we wanted to raise a significant sum for
Cystic Fibrosis research.
Maria's brother Steve Burke, is also running
in the London Marathon too.
You can sponsor Steve by visiting him Here
and you can read this press release for more info.
We are confident that the Concert and Steve's run,
will raise a minimum of £2,000.
In fact, we are so committed, that we
To help us achieve this minimum target of £2,000
we are asking you to
Sponsor Steve in his run
This is Maria just after coming round, following the life saving
Heart & Lung Transplant at Harefield Hospital.
Though it was carried out by Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub,
Maria still needed the loving attention of the World famous
Doctor John Walsh . . . . OK, well they gave me a mask
so at least I could look the part !!
for the raffle, which will be held at the Concert
Or if you can actually help on the night.
Here is Maria receiving a medal from Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub
and Dr. Asghar Khaghani in 2006. Dr. Khaghani took Maria's heart
and gave that to another recipient. And as if that wasn't enough,
One of his heart valves was sent up to a patient in Scotland.
This is commonly known as a
'Domino Oporation'.
So you see, an awful lot of good can come out
of that selfless gift of carrying an Organ Donor Card.