Encouraging stories from transplant recipients

"I am very pleased that 30 touching stories of encouragement have been created as part of the participatory campaign, which have now been compiled in a really beautiful book that is being presented today," said Elke Büdenbender in a video message at the patient day "Facing everyday life after transplantation" on September 3, 2022 as part of the two-day symposium "Organ transplantation in childhood and adolescence". Elke Büdenbender is the patron of the campaign, a judge at the Berlin Administrative Court and the wife of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. "The importance of such stories cannot be overestimated, especially for those affected and their families. Courage, hope and confidence are important components for surviving such an operation well and for recovery afterwards."

Appreciation for physicians too

To mark the 50th anniversary of transplantation in children and adolescents at Hannover Medical School (MHH), the Transplant Centre initiated the "Give courage: Tell your story!" campaign in 2021. The stories received have now been published in the book "Encouraging stories from transplant patients". The book was presented at the Patient Day and the participants in the campaign were honored. "The stories not only encourage patients, but in view of the shortage of Nursing and organs, they also remind us physicians of what we go to work for every day," said associate professor Dr. Horke, Head of the Department of Surgery for Congenital Heart Defects and medical and scientific director of the symposium.

The patient day offered transplant patients and their relatives a comprehensive overview of topics such as rehabilitation medicine, psychosocial care and growing up with a transplanted organ (transition) as well as the associated challenges. After all, living with a new organ as a child or adolescent poses particular challenges for children, parents and the physicians looking after them. Discussions and presentations included the experiences of those affected, offers from self-help associations and rehabilitation facilities or Institutions as well as tips on sport and nutrition.

"It can be done even better!"

Professor Dieter Haffner, Head of the MHH Clinical Department for Kidney, Liver and Metabolic Diseases, presented the achievements of the past 50 years in transplant medicine in children and adolescents as well as the numerous important contributions that the MHH has made. But: "You can always do better!" In his opinion, the fields of activity are diverse: from maintaining organ function, shorter waiting times, better organs, cross-over living donation, xeno- or cell transplantation to improving immunosuppression and reducing comorbidities. Finally, he announced that a socio-medical center for children with organ transplants for psychosocial rehabilitation is planned at the MHH.

At the same time, the transplantation of thoracic organs and the use of heart support systems were discussed in lecture hall M. "50 years of heart and lung organ transplants: lots of success stories, lots of improvement. but we also see the consequences of immunosuppression and immunomodulation in patients. A lot still needs to be done here," said PD Dr. Alexander Horke, summing up the meeting.