THE TORONTO HOSPITAL CELEBRATES ITS
FIRST 500 LIVER TRANSPLANTS AND
FIRST 200 LUNG TRANSPLANTS
(Toronto, March 27, 1996)--The Toronto Hospital honoured today the staff
and patients of its Multi Organ Transplant Program on achieving two significant
milestones: the hospital is the first transplant centre in Canada to achieve
200 lung transplants and the second to perform 500 liver transplants.
"I was meant to live a little longer," is Barbara Hogan's simple
assessment. In 1986, she became The Toronto Hospital's first successful
liver transplant recipient.
Diagnosed with liver cancer and given only four months to live, the former
nurse from Grassie, Ontario was shocked by the suggested treatment of a
transplant. "I was surprised. I didn't know transplants were available
at the time. I thought to myself, 'This is right out of Reader's Digest.
This doesn't happen to someone from Grassie.'"
Today 10 years later, Mrs. Hogan, 63, leads an active, full life and spends
most of her time babysitting her 11 grandchildren who range in age from
one year old to 14.
Mathew Walker at 24 feels lucky and privileged. He received his liver transplant
on December 28, 1995 and became the Hospital's 500th liver transplant recipient.
"It's a good feeling," said Mr. Walker of his history-making transplant
at the Hospital. "I have a life now. Five months ago I didn't know
whether I was going to live; now my major concern is finding a job."
Ann Harrison, 52, couldn't wait to make medical history. She became the
Hospital's and world's first successful double lung transplant recipient
in 1986. "I was dying and after reading about Tom Hall, the world's
first successful single lung transplant, I suggested the lung transplant
to my doctor," she said.
"Although there was only a two per cent chance of survival at that
time, those odds were better than what I had," Mrs. Harrison added.
"Today, I'm healthy and I'm a contributing member of my family and
my community."
The Multi Organ Transplant Program is the largest program of its kind in
Canada and the seventh largest in North America. Affiliated with the University
of Toronto, the multidisciplinary program is recognized worldwide for its
excellence in patient care, teaching and research.
"Our results are as good, if not better than any of the major transplant
programs in North America," said Dr. Gary Levy, Director, Multi Organ
Transplant Program. "Our transplant survival rate at one year exceeds
80 per cent for all organs, and more than 70 per cent of our patients return
to active full-time employment post transplant. These results reflect the
dedication of our staff to patient care."
"The Toronto Hospital/University of Toronto Multi Organ Transplant
Program is second to none," says Dr. Alan Hudson, TTH President. "Our
staff are continually striving to break new ground in patient care, teaching
and research. Today we honour our staff and the patients who have made this
program a leader in its field."
The Toronto Hospital is the largest acute care teaching facility in the
country with 1200 beds. It has a world-wide reputation as a centre of academic
and research excellence in four programs which the Hospital has designated
as priority programs: cardiac sciences; neurosciences; oncology and transplantation.
For more information, contact
Josey Panetta Media Relations Officer,
The Toronto Hospital, 416-340-3303
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