Heart transplant girl reaches 21st
Brave heart transplant survivor Hannah Pudsey is marking another happy milestone by celebrating her 21st birthday today.
As a 13-year-old, Hannah was given just six months to live without the life-saving surgery.
Hannah, of Nafferton, near Driffield, said: "Today is massive for me and something I once could never have anticipated marking.
"It is amazing, surreal really, because life has been such a roller coaster ride to the point of me contemplating my own death.
"But I stayed positive and clung on to hope, even in the bad times, and now I celebrate every day."
Hannah's plight touched thousands of Mail readers as she and her family waited anxiously for seven months for the right donor to become available.
After three false alarms, she received a new heart in life-saving surgery at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital in February 2001.
Student Hannah will celebrate her coming of age with family and friends at a big party in Nafferton Village Hall on Saturday night.
Today she is sitting an exam as part of her childcare course at Bishop Burton College, near Beverley, but will be raising a glass with friends in the pub afterwards.
There have been many other happy milestones for Hannah, like winning a place at college to be a nursery nurse and passing her driving test.
Hannah now has a boyfriend, Kevin Preston, 21, from Driffield, who is employed at the petrol station where she works part-time to earn extra money.
She said: "I love doing the normal things like getting up to go to college and having a great weekend, but I keep having to pinch myself.
"These are things the most people take for granted, but I never will because I never thought I would live to this age.
"For a few years after the transplant I was scared to make long-term plans, but now I feel so healthy and can look to the future, like getting married."
Her mum, Ros, added: "Hannah is a fighter - she's always done the unexpected."
Hannah and her family support campaigns by UK Transplant urging people to carry organ donor cards.
Tributes to heart transplant patent Hannah Pudsey who has died aged 24
3 Comments
by Netty, Hull
Wednesday, January 14 2009, 8:15PM
“Congratulations Hannah and have a great party.
All the best to you Nicola, I know from my brother who had a kidney transplant just how hard it is to keep positive but you must try to be positive. Rooting for you and Hannah.”
by Al Kilvington, United Kingdom
Wednesday, January 14 2009, 1:44PM
“Great news Hannah- well done.My Boy Ben is 13 next month, 12 years post liver transplant.Come on people-carry the card !! It works !!
Nicola- keep your obvious positivity and we all wish you the very very best.”
by Nicola, West Hull
Wednesday, January 14 2009, 8:26AM
“congratulations Hannah on your 21st birthday, and beating all the odds against you when you was really ill, I too am awaing a transplant for my heart,lungs and kidney so I know the stresses you was under but wow have a really great birthday sweetheart XXX”