ROB WILLIAMSON’S
license plate reads “ALL
HRT,’’ but it should really
read ‘‘ALL NEW
HEART.”

By Anna Marie D’Angelo
News Reporter

The West Vancouver. phar-
macist received a heart transplant
‘on Monday, March 29, at Van-
couver General Hospital (VGH)
after almost one year. on the
waiting list.

_ “1 feel absolutely terrific. 1
can’t believe it,’’ said Williamson,
51. * .

Williamson was in hospital 10
‘days. The operation took five
hours.

**The actual operation is
basically a simple plumbing job,”
said Williamson.

“But let me say the transplant
surgeon, Dr. Virginia Gudas, was
._ absolutely phenomenal,”’ he said.

Williamson found out last April
that he had a severe heart condi-
tion called idopathic car-
diomyopathy.

At the time, television news
reports said he had a short time to
live.

But Williamson said his condi-
tion stopped deteriorating shortly
after it was diagnosed.

At that time, he stopped recre-
ational activities, cut down on
work and took medication. :

Williamson said he could ha‘re

THE AFFORDABLE |

“*coasted’’ for two to three years
without a transplant.

But if the Caulfeild pharmacist
had continued his busy lifestyle,
doctors told him he had six
months to two years to live.

Williamson said his friends felt

helpless and decided to help-him .

by raising awareness about
transplants.

They did this last summer, in
part, through a full-page ad in the
News.

“Ninety per cent of available
organs don’t get used and in most

PED i Ban

46 The actual. operation
is basically a simple
plumbing job. 99

cases that is because somebody
says no,”’ said Williamson.

He was overwhelmed by the
support he received leading up to
his operation. His hospital room
was packed with get-well cards.

Williamson is the sixth person
to receive a heart at VGH this
year. The hospital is the only B.C.
facility to perform heart
transplants, which last year
numbered 13.

Williamson said he plans to
return to work, He and his wife,
Pat, are the owners of the Phar-
masave in Caulfeild.

They have three grown children
and three grandchildren.

“I don’t feel special, but I think
the (heart-transplant) program is
very special,’’ said Williamson.

é
4

WEST VANCOUVER resident Rob Williamson feels absolutely torrific a

the end of March.

orth Shore News - 29

So

NEWS photo Paul McGrath

fter receiving a new heart at

il 27th

Tuesday

a, nn’ March from Shaughnessy Hospital to City Hall and
; let Mayor Campbell know how you feel about his

involvement with the closure announcement.

LUXURY OF WOOD _

Assemble at: 5:30 pm north side of Oak at 28th Avenue
March begins: 6:00 pm
Rally: 7:00 pm on steps of City Hall

March Route: | City tal

12th Avenue

ere:

5

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16th Avenue

[Lo

King Edward . Cambie Sreet

| es

“28th Avenue
Gather here Shaughnessy Hospital