81-year-old’s JOGLE bid after gruelling surgery saved his life – all blood drained and body cooled to 20°C in pioneering technique
An 81-year-old grandfather will undertake a classic car fundraising drive from John O’Groats to Land’s End (JOGLE) to thank the medical services that saved his life.
Leicestershire couple Dave Whittington and his wife Thelma (79) will drive their 57-year-old MGC classic car across the UK to raise money for the Royal Papworth Charity and the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA UK).
Dave said: “My road to recovery has been long and at times difficult, but I am determined to challenge myself further in aid of what I feel are two hugely worthwhile causes.”
The ‘Drive for Life’, starting on Monday (May 5), will see the pair travel 1178 miles over four days. As well as raising money, they aim to raise awareness of the disease, which almost cost Dave his life, and the specialist surgery which saved him.
During the pandemic in 2020, the grandfather-of-ten was diagnosed with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), a relatively rare disease where blood clots block the lung’s arteries, causing high blood pressure and common symptoms such as chest pain, fatigue and shortness of breath. It forces the heart to work harder and, if left untreated, could lead to heart failure.
Dave underwent life-saving pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) surgery at Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire, the UK’s leading heart and lung hospital and the only centre in the UK that offers this innovative surgery to remove the clots and scar material.
The remarkable part of this operation was the need to drain all the blood out of Dave’s body to allow the surgical team to see deep enough into his lungs to clear the clots. This was only achieved by cooling his body to 20°C – almost half the normal body temperature – to prevent damage to vital organs, including the brain.
Dave was also helped by PHA UK, which supports people affected by the life-limiting condition. CTEPH is the only type of PH which may be cured.
“The care I received from staff at Royal Papworth Hospital was outstanding, and I am 100 per cent sure this aided my recovery. This driving challenge is my way of saying a huge thank you from myself and my family,” he added.
“Plus, my bucket list is starting to get rusty, so now is the time to do the road trip I’ve always wanted to do.”
David Jenkins is a consultant in cardiothoracic surgery at Royal Papworth Hospital and performed David’s life-saving PEA surgery.
He said: “It has been great to see Dave looking so well after his surgery. All the hospital staff involved in his treatment and care wish him and Thelma the best of luck with their Drive for Life.”
Dave and Thelma plan to stop at two of the eight UK hospitals which specialise in treating pulmonary hypertension on their JOGLE trip – the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle and the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield.
Dave is no stranger to taking on a challenge. Before he became ill with CTEPH he ran nine marathons, even dressing up for one as Richard III.
You can support Dave and Thelma’s Drive for Life by donating via their JustGiving fundraising page at: www.justgiving.com/team/drive-for-life-mgc1
At the time of publication, the fundraiser has raised 42 per cent of its total and stands at £603.
