Greenock family tackle peak to raise money for hospital following mum's care

Jenna Cochrane, her partner Shannon Morrison and brother Ian were joined by friends John McAllister, Lisa Boyle, and Stuart Mullen to climb Ben Nevis in Fort William following their mother’s heart transplant.

The family raised an impressive £1645 for the NHS Golden Jubilee in Clydebank to say thank you to those who cared for Pearl Margaret Thompson.

NHS (Image: NHS)

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The money raised from their adventure will be put towards the service at NHS Golden Jubilee, which is responsible for providing advanced heart failure therapies to patients throughout Scotland.

Pearl, 57, had bouts of breathlessness before being diagnosed with cardiomyopathy in 2019. She was put on the transplant list two years later.

Jenna said: “At first we thought my mum’s symptoms were down to her having pleurisy, but then she was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and had to have a pacemaker fitted.

“She only had that for six months before she went on the transplant list and she was very lucky to receive a heart not long after that, so we are all extremely grateful.

“We wanted to give something back for the amazing care my mum received at the Golden Jubilee and to show our gratitude to the donor and their family whose choice has given my mum the gift of life.

“We would like to thank everyone who has helped our family on our journey and those who generously donated for our climb.”

NHS (Image: NHS)

NHS (Image: NHS)

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The Golden Jubilee University National Hospital is Scotland’s only heart transplant centre. It’s also the home of regional and national heart and lung services.

Euan Darroch, senior heart failure nurse and ward manager, said: “We would like to thank Jenna and her family for this extremely generous donation.

“We understand that being in hospital is a stressful time for patients and their families and donations like this are used to improve their hospital experience.

“It helps us continue to make a real difference to the lives of other patients and families through person-centred care.”

The donation coincides with a campaign to encourage people to share their organ donation status with loved ones and record their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Alison Mitchell, the specialist nurse for organ donation, who speaks to potential donor families after the death of a loved one, is urging people to tell their families about their status as an organ donor.

She said: “Please tell your family and friends about your organ donation decision because if your loved ones know about your decision, it will make it easier for them to ensure it is honoured."

“Only 1% of people will die in a way that makes organ donation possible, which is usually in a hospital intensive care unit (ICU).

“There may also be opportunities to donate tissue such as heart valves, tendons and corneas, from within a hospital setting. If you’ve made your decision, please make it known.”

Everyone aged 16 or over has a choice if they want to be an organ donor or opt out, but it’s important to register your intention as if you do nothing it could be assumed you agree to certain organ and tissue transplantation.

The exception to this is if you are in a group where the opt out system doesn’t apply, or if donation would be against your views.

You can register your donation decision and find out more at organdonation.scot or call 0300 123 23 23.

For more information about the services available at NHS Golden Jubilee, visit NHSGoldenJubilee.co.uk.