Sabrina Dawn Gotman had a rare lung disease called pulmonary veno-occlusive. There have been only 20 known cases in the past forty years. It causes the lungs to harden and break down. Sabrina was diagnosed in the summer of 1998, and she spent 6 months on the transplant waiting list for lungs. Here are some of the events in her life:
March 21, 1999: Sabrina asks the public to sign their donor cards. Canada has a comparatively low organ donor rate, and many people like herself are depending on the priceless gift of life from a stranger. You can read the article that appeared in the Toronto Sun.
April 9, 1999: Great news! Sabrina received her double lung transplant in a 6 hour long surgery that began at 12 am this morning. More details here.
April 10, 1999: Sabrina is still in critical condition. The first 3 days after a transplantation are crucial to recovery, as this is the time when the body could reject the donated organs. Sabrina had been out on a day pass on April 8, for the first time since being admitted. She was called back in that night. It's only been 13 years since the first double lung transplant was performed in Toronto. It was performed the same year Sabrina was born.
August 1999: Sabrina's still in the hospital. She's had some setbacks, including a grade 2 rejection. She's only been home for 18 days this year! This is a lot for a young girl to deal with, yet Sabrina remains upbeat. Email Sabrina directly.
December 22 1999: Nine months after her life saving double lung transplant, Sabrina remains in the hospital battling major infections.
January 17, 2000: After a courageous battle against chronic rejection and major infections, Sabrina passed away. It is important to remember that the lung transplant enabled Sabrina to spend more precious time with her family. As Sabrina and her family wished, when her time came, Sabrina herself became an organ donor.
And don't forget: there are many many people waiting for organ transplantations. Discuss organ donation with your family and read the stories of donors and recipients
