A Fife father whose life was saved by a double lung transplant has personally thanked the family of his donor.
John Coyle met the mother of William Lloyd, whose family donated his organs when he died of a brain haemorrhage at the age of 38.
He was given William’s lungs during a seven hour operation in the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle, in 2012.
While in Liverpool to compete in the British Transplant Games, John visited William’s parents William and Phyllis and sister Julie who live in the city.
John, 47, and wife Shirley have corresponded with the Lloyds anonymously through the NHS Blood and Transplant Service but it was the first time they had met.
He said: “There are no words I can say to William Snr, Phyllis and Julie to give my heartfelt thanks for the decision that ultimately saved my life.
“I had never seen a picture of William, the man who has allowed me to live my life to the full, for my wife to have a husband and my children to have a dad.
“It was a very emotional day all round, and I was so proud and pleased to finally meet the Lloyd family and say thank you face to face.”
When health and safety advisor John, of Cowdenbeath, was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder he was told he had less than a year to live without a transplant.
William carried an organ donor card and when he died after a fall it was discovered he was a match.
John was rushed to hospital for the procedure which saved his life and ensured his children Kenneth and Jennifer did not lose their dad.
Displayed on the living room of the Lloyds during their meeting was a medal John won for swimming at the European Transplant Games and dedicated to William.
William Snr said: “I can’t begin to tell you how much meeting John lifts us as a family through our grief.
“We will never get over losing William, he was our youngest son, our baby and it was such a shock to lose him so very quickly.
“Knowing William’s beautiful and generous personality carries on through his gift of organ donation brings such comfort to our family.
“I’m so proud.”
Transplant co-ordinator Lynne Holt, who is a volunteer for Transplant Sport which runs the games, said: “For a donor family and recipient to meet is a very special and rare moment.
“The Lloyd family’s decision saved the lives of five others, with William’s wishes honoured on his passing.”
Despite suffering complications following the operation, John returned to work three months later.
He went on to complete a gruelling five-day charity walk 98 miles along the West Highland Way and has won medals at the European Transplant Games in Lithuania and British Transplant Games in Bolton for swimming, volleyball and cross-country running.
John was one of five recipients of six of William’s organs.
Shirley said: “Seeing a picture of William put everything into perspective and was a very powerful moment for us.
“I’ve always wondered what John’s donor was like, and it is so special to be able to put a face to the man who gave such a gift to us.”
