A CYCLING group will depart from Bowness-on-Solway on a 100-mile coast-to-coast ‘Route 72’ bike ride to South Shields to raise awareness for organ donation.
The Electric Cranks, made up of seven gents aged between 50 and 70 with advanced heart failure, nearly all have been fitted with Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) at Wythenshawe Hospital Heart and Lung Transplant Centre, where the group first came together several years ago.
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LVADs are implantable mechanical circulatory support devices for advanced heart failure patients who are either awaiting a heart transplant or not eligible for transplantation. These heart pumps are a critical option that can extend survival and restore quality of life.
Five members of The Electric Cranks will be joined by their cardiologists, surgeon, and other supporters as they follow the route of Hadrian’s Wall, with the journey setting off on June 28 from St Michael's Church at Bowness-on-Solway.
While the group regularly ride to provide peer group psychological support and to help encourage physical and mental recovery through cycling, this particular challenge has three more specific purposes, such as further pioneering the effectiveness and potential of LVAD technology, raising awareness of those living with severe heart failure and to generate further funding for the New Start charity, Wythenshawe Hospital’s Transplant Fund.
Dr Steven Shaw, Consultant Cardiologist at Wythenshawe Hospital said: "It’s great to see the Electric Cranks in action, showing us all that people with heart failure can still live their best lives.
"The positive long-term outcomes for LVAD recipients at Wythenshawe Hospital are the best we’ve seen across the country, which is a testament to the care that our dedicated team has provided over the years.
"Our support role extends beyond medical care and into wellbeing and keeping active, both of which have played such an important role in long-term aftercare," he said.
Created by global healthcare company Abbott, the HeartMate 3 heart pump which is fitted in all but one of The Electric Cranks members has been clinically-proven to improve quality of life outcomes in thousands of advanced heart failure patients around the world.
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