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BRITISH HEART & LUNG TRANSPLANT ASSOCIATION
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As this is a brand new website it will evolve over the weeks and years and is continually being updated. Chairman's Message We have kept the website simple as our aim is to link to the many other transplant related organisations who are already able to provide you with very useful information. Where we help For anyone in the UK who has had a heart and or lung transplant the BHLTA exists for your benefit. There is no membership fee payable by individuals as we are funded by the generosity of the individual hospital units. As each transplant unit is self sufficient we have relied on the transplants at each unit to further the aims of the association. We have not actively set out our stall as this has been done by the hospital units themselves. Our role has been to keep abreast of what each of the units are doing, how they are dealing with the donor shortage, new drugs and the provision of advice to patients. When and Why we get involved We have co-ordinated the activities of the UK Team for entry into the European Heart & Lung Transplant Games which are held every two years. The UK has usually fielded the largest number of transplant competitors each time there has been a European Games. What is different about these Games is that there are normally as many, if not more supporters. The Games are known as the “friendly” games. Language is not a barrier. Far from it, transplants, supporters and friends from all the countries try really hard to communicate one way or another and make lasting friendships. One of the main aims is the ‘taking part’. We believe that the benefits to organ donation are demonstrated by spreading the message as far afield as possible. Each transplant recipient returning to their community can publicise their success at the Games through their local newspaper and thus reach out to a larger audience. Their stories will, hopefully, break down the barriers and encourage others to become organ donors. How do we fit into Europe? It is no coincidence that since the start of the European Games there has been a representative of the UK on the EHLTF management committee, which consists of six individuals. However, this position is not guaranteed as there are elections each year and candidates have to be voted in by the European colleagues. I was elected as a member to the EHLTF in 2004, re-elected in 2007 and now have the position of Secretary. I hope you will want to know more. Please contact any member of the committee or look out for posters in your unit. David Walker Chairman,
If you are a member of the BHLTA and would like to suggest how it should evolve please contact me, Graham Marsh - webmaster, using the link below. News and contributions from members and their families, supporters and medical staff from one of our units would be appreciated too. Could I ask that any photographs you wish to submit be in Jpeg format please. Thank you.
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Send mail to graham@bhlta.org.uk with
questions or comments about this web site.
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