IN reply to the letter headed "Lesser Known Facts On Organ Transplantation", does the writer have any idea of transplants?

As a recipient of a heart transplant 12 years ago, I can assure the writer that it is possible to lead a normal life. I had a cardiac arrest in 1982 and was in and out of Victoria Hospital until 1989.

Due to the skills of our excellent Cardiac Unit, I was recommended to Wytheshawe Heart and Lung Transplant Unit.

After waiting six months a suitable donor was found. My family and I will always be grateful for the "gift of life". We think about the family very often and could not thank them enough.

There are several transplant recipients in this area, most leading normal, useful lives. One local young lady, transplanted as a schoolgirl aged 16, is now married and a mother of two lovely children.

If the writer could visit any of the heart, lung or kidney centres and see the number of people of all ages and walks of life whose only hope is a transplant, he would change his mind. Transplant surgeons also perform other operations, work very long hours and hold clinics and consultations.

It is insulting to say that they are "a nice little earner".

A Very Grateful Recipient - Ken Wharmby,

Norbreck Road,

Thornton-Cleveleys.