Someone Else's Heart

The incredible annual celebration of life that is the British Transplant Games took place this year in Nottingham, boasting a bigger field of participants than ever before – over 1,000 people headed to the East Midlands to compete in over 25 sports.

Among those making a first appearance at the Games was Jacob Rae, a heart transplant recipient from West Sussex. But as well as competing at the Games, Jacob is the subject of his daughter Ines' song, 'Someone Else's Heart', which she performed at the launch event.

Ines' single was inspired by her dad’s transplant and it has helped introduce the subject of organ donation to a new audience, via her TikTok and Instagram channels. Indeed, her posts have reached more than 40 million people so far.

"Growing up, I knew Dad had a heart condition, but I just accepted it as normal," says Ines. "Then one day after a routine appointment, something seemed different.

"Dad said he might need a new heart within the next 5 to 10 years and that he would need to go on to the transplant waiting list.

"In October 2021, he received the call.

"It was so exciting to think Dad would be getting a new heart, his life expectancy without one was less than 60 – which he didn’t tell us until after his transplant!

"It was nerve-wracking, too and I felt I had to be strong for my Mum and little brother.

"We couldn’t visit Dad as his transplant took place when there were still Covid restrictions in hospitals – he was on the ground floor though, so we could visit and talk to him through the window."

Jacob left hospital just before Christmas. He struggled to settle, however. He was always cold, sitting in front of a fire with five or six coats on and still unable to warm up. He couldn’t eat and struggled to walk.

So, Jacob was sent for some blood tests, which showed he had virus markers in his blood. He went back into hospital in January 2022 and remained there until November.

It was discovered that Jacob had contracted cytomegalovirus, a common virus that is normally harmless, but can cause problems in people with weakened immune systems.

"We almost lost Dad three times while he was trying to fight the virus," says Ines. "I couldn’t bear to think what if he didn’t make it – I was only 19.

"Dad went from intensive care to another ward to another ward – each move was a step closer to getting him home, but he hit many obstacles along the way and ended up back in intensive care several times."

Medics tried a range of treatment options. Sadly, none worked and Jacob remained very unwell until staff at Hammersmith Hospital offered a new T-Cell therapy treatment option, only available at their hospital.

The therapy involved taking donated stem cells from the rest of the family and transplanting them into Jacob. The cells had to be a suitable match for him, but crucially they also needed to have the virus present. The whole family were tested, and Jacob’s eldest son was a match.

Jacob began to recover from the virus and by the end of 2022, he was back home.

Jacob says: "Nearly losing your life three times put your whole world into perspective.

"The NHS is truly phenomenal, from the porters to the surgeons, everyone who took care of me was amazing.

"My heart was from a man in his 30s. He and his family have given me the most valuable gift.

"Agreeing to organ donation feels like the bravest thing anyone can do, to pass the light of life onto someone else in the midst of their grief.

"They have gifted me the opportunity to be with my family and see my children grow up.

"I feel a responsibility to live my life for my donor and to help their life live on.

"We were so excited to be opening the Transplant Games and we are beyond honoured to be part of the transplant community, being surrounded with people like us who have been given a second chance at life and who are grabbing it with both hands.

"It’s the largest live audience that Ines has performed in front of and to do so on such a special occasion, in front of people that the song would really resonate with, is extra special.

"It was a very emotional moment for her and for the whole family."

To catch up on coverage of the Transplant Games, find us on Facebook, X and Instagram @NHSOrganDonor.

You can register your organ donation decision at organdonation.nhs.uk or via the NHS App.