On your bike...

You may have seen on the news recently that Matthew Green has become the first person in the UK to receive a Total Artificial Heart implant and go home. Matthew, 40, who had been critically ill suffering from end-stage biventricular heart failure, received his heart during a six hour operation here at Papworth Hospital.

The Total Artificial Heart helps patients like Matthew, where both sides of the heart are failing, and eliminates the effects of severe heart failure whilst they wait for a transplant.

Following the operation Matthew, who used to cycle 9 miles every day to work before he became ill, used a bed bike to help him with his recovery. It helps patients confined to bed by ensuring that they maintain good mobility and prevents muscle tightening and thrombosis.

'Bed Bike'

Matthew said "I first used the bike a few days after my operation. It felt fantastic to do some exercise after so long. It helped build up my strength and get me up on my feet again. I told my wife this was training for a Lands End to John O'Groats charity cycle ride. I'm not sure she believed me - we'll see how it goes!"

We want to purchase another bed bike so we can help more patients like Matthew. You can help by texting 'ARTI40 £5' to 70070.