The Freeman Hospital is celebrating 100 adult congenital heart transplants with a balloon release, conference and celebratory lunch, alongside patients and their families. All of these patients were born with complex heart disease and never expected to live to adulthood.

The Freeman Hospital has an international reputation for pioneering expertise in transplant surgery and infant cardiology treatment with best in class outcomes. The hospital’s Cardiothoracic Centre is home to the largest adult congenital heart transplant centre in the world, and is the only centre in the UK to provide comprehensive cardiac care, from birth through childhood and onto adulthood.

Many of the patients attending the celebration have received heart and heart/lung transplants at the Freeman Hospital spanning the last 27 years. They will attend to show their support and thanks to their donors and the work of the Specialist Team.

Ranked one of the leading and most progressive centres in the UK, the Freeman Hospital provides specialist treatment for all types of heart and respiratory related conditions in adults and children. The first adult heart transplant was successfully performed in 1985, followed by the UK’s first successful baby heart transplant in 1987. The first adult congenital heart transplant also took place in 1988.

The first patient to receive a lifesaving heart transplant for adult congenital disease, David Yates, from Newcastle explains: “26 and a half years ago, a 25 year old man died and his family unselfishly thought of others, rather than their own grief. They donated their son’s heart. I was the fortunate beneficiary – I received a second chance of life – I now had a future to hope for.”

Many, many more success stories followed (now 116 transplant operations) as a consequence of the highly skilled and dedicated staff.

Sir Leonard Fenwick, Chief Executive says: “We are so proud to reflect upon the commitment shown, year on year, by so many dedicated and highly skilled healthcare professionals who have pursued a plethora of innovative approaches to new technologies and treatments in this very challenging area of medicine.”