Transplant recipient gears up for Marathon- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
Transplant recipient gears up for Marathon- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
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April 18, 2000
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In This Issue:
Transplant recipient gears up for Marathon
A better way to predict heart attacks
Ask Yourself:
Spring into a Healthy Heart
Pike Notes
Meet Julie Von Lambsdorff
Town Meeting
Walk for hunger
After being admitted to BWH in February 1997 and suffering cardiac arrest, Danalyn Adams Scharf underwent emergency surgery to implant a ventricular assist device. For three weeks, while awaiting a new heart, she relied on that device to keep her alive. On March 17, 1997, under the care of Dr. David Adams, associate chief of Cardiac Surgery, she received a life-saving heart transplant. Now, just three years later, Scharf is striking back. On Monday, April 17, this life-long runner will lace up her shoes, stretch out, and step to the starting line of the 104th Boston Marathon—hoping to become the first female heart transplant recipient ever complete a marathon. Scharf and her husband Matt will run in this year’s race as part of the 125-member Team Brigham, along with one of the nurses who cared for her as she recovered from transplant surgery. Elizabeth Taylor, RN, recalls, “Right after her transplant, after we took her breathing tube out, she turned to me and asked, ‘Do you think I’ll be able to do a marathon?’ I’ll never forget that.” Taylor, inspired by Scharf’s determination, joined this year’s team and plans to finish the race and then go back through the crowd, find Scharf, and finish the remainder of the race with her. As Scharf crosses the finish line, which she hopes to do with a race time of about six hours, she’ll be cheered on by friends and family; BWH staff; and the family of the heart donor, an active 38-year-old woman. “Taking on this physically and mentally challenging course is a prime example of how transplant survivors, like myself, can go on to lead healthy lives,” Scharf says. “Running is pure joy for me, and I’m not going to give it up.” The Scharfs will donate the money they raise to the Heart Hope Fund, which was started by Dr. Adams to support transplant research. For information on sponsoring the Scharfs, Taylor, or any other members of Team Brigham, contact Miriam Krause, Development, at ext. 8981. Team Brigham’s efforts benefit BWH’s community health programs.