By Birgit Buerkner
In the capital, more people are waiting for a donor organ again: At the beginning of this year, according to Techniker Krankenkasse, 438 Berliners were on the list (13 of them children and young people), a year ago there were 406.
369 of the seriously ill need a new kidney, 28 are hoping for a donor heart, 26 for a pancreas, 23 for a liver and 17 people for a lung.
Meanwhile, the number of organ donors is falling again: last year, 43 people in Berlin made one or more organs available. In 2021 there were still 49 (2020: 52).
A new exhibition in the German Heart Center (Augustenburger Platz 1, Wedding) aims to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation for the recipient. For “RELIVING2‘ portrayed the photographer Max Threlfall on behalf of the Association transplanted eV 15 people who received a donor organ.
BZ tells some stories.
► Catherine B (58) from Wildau suffered heart failure while giving birth to her second child. She was 35 years old then. She was stabilized, but progressive myocardial insufficiency could not be stopped. For many years she lived knowing that she needed a transplant. “I wanted to live for my children. I wanted them to grow up and have a mom,” she says. In 2019 she got a new heart. “It feels like it was meant for me, always mine.”
Catherine B. from Wildau Photo: Max Threlfall
► Christopher B (36) from Werneuchen received a new heart transplant at the age of nine. An illness made this necessary, the tissue of his pump organ stiffened. As an adult, he went in search of clues, wanting to find the donor family. “The heart was from a six-year-old boy from Austria,” says Christopher B. “I’ve reached my limits emotionally.” He broke off the search. Today he is the father of two sons himself and is grateful that his heart made this possible.
► At the age of 15 Sandra J. (45) from Erkner lung disease. The organ stuck together and collapsed. She became dependent on oxygen and could no longer leave the house. “When you’re that seriously ill, it’s actually like you’re already dead,” she says. In 2013, she received the first offer for a new lung, but fearfully declined it. The second offer came in 2014 and Sandra said yes. Today she says: “My lungs and I are a team, we fit together really well”.
Sandra J Photo: Max Threlfall
► Annette S. (55) from Mühlenbeck lived for thirty years with hereditary diabetes. Eventually the medication stopped working. When her health deteriorated life-threateningly after the pregnancy, the transplant became unavoidable. At Christmas 2014, Annette had a kidney and a pancreas implanted. She named her organs Ben and Paul. She celebrates Christmas with them every year in memory of her organ donor. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for this transplant,” she says.
Annette S. from Mühlenbeck Photo: Max Threlfall
► Jurgen (64) from Teltow lived with an unrecognized heart failure. “During a routine check-up, the doctor said to me, ‘Something’s wrong’ and gave me a referral that said ‘Urgent’.” During the ultrasound, the cardiologist said, ‘Oh shit…’ and called an ambulance. Jürgen was taken to the heart center and connected to an artificial heart. A short time later he received a donor heart. He thinks about the donor almost every day. On his “transplant birthday” he lights a candle for him and spends the day alone in thought.
Juergen from Teltow Photo: Max Threlfall
► Oliver P (36) from Steglitz passed out at work because his heart was weak. He waited six months in the hospital for a transplant, which took place in 2012. “I’m grateful that there are people who donate,” he says. “I also have an organ donor card. If something happens to me, maybe someone can still use my lungs or my kidneys.” Today he works as an ambulance driver, helping sick people.
Oliver P. from Steglitz Photo: Max Threlfall
► After Ferhat H. (51) had fallen over several times, the doctor diagnosed cardiac insufficiency. “We have it in the family. But before that I was very sporty and very healthy,” he says. “There were no signs.” He wore a defibrillator until he received a donor organ in 2015. “The transplant changed me,” says Ferhat H. “Time has become much more important and valuable to me. I want to experience a lot with my children. I’m really trying to make the very best of this gift and thank my organ donor by passing on sustainable values to my children.”
Ferhat H Photo: Max Threlfall
► received in 2014 Gernot H. (71) from Charlottenburg received the diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable disease of the lungs. His lung function gradually deteriorated. Two large oxygen tanks in the bathroom and a hose gave him a ten meter range of motion in the apartment. He was put on the waiting list for a new lung. In 2019 he got the donor organ. “My second life is very lucky for me,” he says. “One learns gratitude in one fell swoop.”
Gernot H. from Charlottenburg Photo: Max Threlfall
► A delayed cold was to blame Franco Ps (54) cardiac insufficiency. He had to be connected to an artificial heart. A transplant was the only option for him. “I said: I want to live. I want to be with my wife, my daughter.” Together with other artificial heart patients, he waited in the hospital for the decisive call. “Other waiting patients were called before me, some have also died.” The call came on the night of October 12, 2012. Today Franco knows: “The only wealth that man has is health.”
Franco P Photo: Max Threlfall
► Suzanne P (58) from Wilmersdorf did not tolerate medication and got an inflammation of the heart wall and muscle. Doctors told her there was no other option but a transplant. “I was really blown away,” she says. Just one week later, in April 2020, the donor heart was transplanted to her. She says today: “The fact that I have now received the heart that another person wants someone to live on obliges us both, my heart and me, to make it beautiful for us.”