If I only had a heart

When I ask Alfred Debattista, president of the Transplant Support Group how old he is, he answers “62 plus 12.” Although most of us employ this tactic to hide our true age, Debattista does this for a different reason. At the age of 62 he underwent a heart transplant, which saved his life and so far has given him a “bonus” 12 years. 

25 years of on the police force left Debattista young, fit and retired, so post-retirement he took up the post of security manager of a major bank. However after 16 years of service he started to suffer shortness of breath and serious fatigue that eventually meant he had to stop working altogether.

He was diagnosed with serious heart failure at the age of 60 and without a transplant he was only given a few months to live.

“The worst part about being told that a transplant was the only cure, is that you’re not sure you’re going to survive until a match is found. In fact many people who need a transplant never make it to the operating table, succumbing to their own failing organs before a match can be found.”

Debattista waited two years until a match was found during which time he had some close encounters with death becoming a regular patient at the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) and the Intensive Care Unit (ITU) where he received his last rites three times.

“I’ve been on the brink of death on more than one occasion - saw the white light at the end of the tunnel. It’s not so much that you walk towards it but seem to be float towards it without any control. Somehow I beat the odds and eventually a donor was found.”

George Sultana, Debattista’s donor, fell out of his balcony in Marsalforn in Gozo at the age of 31, and was taken to hospital suffering serious injuries. When he was declared brain dead his mother was reluctant to donate his organs as he was not the holder of a donor card. However his sister insisted that that was what he wanted and eventually his mother conceded.

“After two years of waiting for the phone to ring I got the call at 4pm, went to the hospital and was on the operating table by 8pm. When I woke up I had a new heart. I cheated death and had every intention of making the most of this second chance.”

The tragic death of Sultana meant that Debatistta and six other people got a second chance at life through organ donation. As well as transplanting Sultana’s heart, both kidneys, both corneas and his liver – divided between two Italians who needed a transplant, were successfully transplanted.

Some organs are transplanted in Malta while others require surgery abroad. The first kidney was successfully transplanted in 1986 with an average of 15 transplants occurring every year. The first heart transplant occurred in 1995 and one or two being transplanted every year.

When an organ donor dies, organs that cannot be used in Malta – such as the liver – are immediately transported to a European hospital where they can be used – generally the UK or Italy. In exchange these hospitals will perform transplants for Maltese patients free of charge, though the patients have to pay for living expenses while waiting for the donor match to be found.

Over the last 12 years, since the operation Debattista had two more grandsons whom he would have never met if he had not found a donor heart. After his operation, like many other transplantees, he felt the need to find out more about his donor and meet the family.

Though he had a lot of support from his own family through the terrible time before, during and after the transplant, there was nobody official to turn to for advice or support.

For that reason Debattista got together with the other people whose lives had been saved by Sultana’s organs, and eventually with other transplant patients, to set up a support group in 2000.

The committee is made up of 10 voluntary members, most of which are surviving transplantees. There are legal, ethical and spiritual advisors to ensure complete support

The objectives of the group is to provide support for patients before, during and after transplant procedures.

“It is especially important for renal patients requiring a kidney transplant. There are over 200 patients on haemodialysis, requiring four hours of treatment three times a week. For these people we organise social events and even trips to Lourdes.

“We also strive to keep the memory of our deceased donors alive and to raise awareness of organ donation throughout the population.”

The Transplant Support Group (TSG) is also in talks with both sides of parliament to indicate organ donation preference on the new ID cards. According to a study conducted by the TSG and Mario Fsadni and Associates, out of the respondents to the survey who expressed willingness to donate organs, 92% wish to have this indicated on their ID cards.

Becoming an organ donor is a simple procedure. An application form can be filled in either online from www.transplantsupport.com.mtor by requesting a form by phone on 21223026, 21826718 or 21696383 in Malta or 21565604 in Gozo or by email at [email protected].

Your request will be put on the ITU register, though it is best to inform your next of kin of your decision, as the final authorisation must come from relatives. 

In the event that you change your mind, it is possible to have your name removed from the register at any time.

Organ donation – separating fact from fiction

Myth: Family can refuse to have my organs donated even if I have a donor card

Fact: That is true, in the sense that the final authorisation comes from the donor’s next of kin. However in reality very few relatives of persons who wished to donate organs have interfered in Malta. Be sure to inform your next of kin of your wishes.

Myth: If I agree to donate my organs doctors won’t work as hard to save my life.

Fact: The doctor dealing with a patient in an emergency has nothing to do with the transplantation and will fight to save the life of the donor. It is every doctor’s duty to fight to preserve life till the very end. 

Myth: I might not really be dead when doctors sign my death certificate

Fact: Doctors distinguish between being “brain dead” and being in a coma. A coma is reversible and the patient may come out of the coma even after a number of years. When a patient is “brain dead” the life support machine slows the process of deterioration of the organs but deterioration is already taking place. The patient is not going to recuperate. Only then will doctors recommend harvesting of organs.

Myth: My corpse will be maltreated while harvesting organs

Specialised medical officers operate on the body to harvest the organs exercising utmost caution and ensuring the dignity of the deceased. After the organs have been removed there will be no visible signs to the body.

Myth: Organ donation is against my religion

Fact: Organ donation is consistent with most religious beliefs including Catholicism. The Catholic Church encourages the donation of organs calling it “an act of love and a gift of life.” If you are unsure of your faith’s position contact a member of your clergy

Myth: I am under 18 and too young to make that kind of decision

Fact: Parents can make that decision for you if you wish to donate. Children also need organ transplants and often require smaller organs than an adult can provide.

Myth: I’m too old to donate organs

Fact: There is not cut off age for donating organs. Organs have been successfully transplanted from donors in their 70s and 80s. Decisions to use organs are based on strict medical criteria. Allow the doctors to decide whether your organs are suitable for transplantation

Myth: I’m not in the best of health

Fact: Very few medical conditions automatically disqualify you from donating organs. It may also be that some organs are not suitable for organ donation but other organs and tissues may be fine. Again, allow medical experts to determine suitability of your organs.