Janka Penther, Vice Chair 

I have Cystic Fibrosis and received a double lung transplant at Harefield in April 2013. I joined the club in 2015 and became a committee member after my first AGM in Witney in 2015. I was appointed Chairperson at the AGM in Bournemouth a year later and stepped down to VC in 2023. I strive to make the club stronger, more accessible and work together with other organisations to promote organ donation so others get a new lease of life.

Douglas Forbes, Club Secretary – email: secretary@harefieldhamsters.org

I had a double lung transplant in August 2013, as a result of CF, and have been a member of the club for a year. I joined the committee at the  AGM in Bournemouth in 2016 and took on the role of Secretary in 2018

 

Rob Longrigg , Membership Secretary – email: membership@harefieldhamsters.org

I have been a member and supporter of the club since 2005, I had a double lung transplant in October 2003 due to CF. I joined the committee at the AGM in 2015.

 

Caroline Rutherford, Treasurer – email: treasurer@harefieldhamsters.org

I’d had and LVAD for about 18 months when I received my last call for a heart in June 2018. I joined the committee after the 2019 Harefield reunion as I wanted to contribute, when possible , to a fantastic club. I took over the role of  Team Manager from Janka for the BTG 2021 and 2022. Now I have taken over the role as Treasurer ensuring the club accounts are correct and the club keeps in good financial order.

 

Lynne Ogden, Newsletter Editor – email: editor@harefieldhamsters.org

Hi, I am a recently retired Primary School teacher and had a double lung transplant in August 2020, during Covid. I have always been passionate about Sport and very fit and active but in Spring 2016, I developed Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sjorgrens Syndrome. These 2 resulted in Obliterative Bronchiolitis and a destruction of my lungs. 
3 years on, I’m still on my transplant journey and I will be forever grateful for my donor family. I joined the committee at the AGM in 2023 after attending my first British Transplant Games. 
My aims as a newly appointed Editor of the Newsletter are to be able to help where I can and to promote the ‘joy’ of attending the Transplant Games.

 

Clive Donaghue – Committee Member

I had a heart transplant in October 1984, aged 12. My earliest involvement with the club was preventing several members of the Harefield transplant team attending one of the first club annual dinners as I was keeping them busy in theatre! I joined the committee at the 2022 AGM and I’m hoping to use my long-term knowledge as a patient alongside my professional experience to help the committee with the club’s mission to support pre and post transplant families however I can.

 

Tracey Baker – Committee Member 

I worked at Harefield from 1998 to my early retirement in 2018, and have been an active member of the Club for many years. I joined the Committee in< 2020 and my main role is to lead on arranging the reunion and other social events .

 

Dawn Bostock – Committee Member

I had a Double Lung transplant 14 years ago at Harefield Hospital and currently waiting for a Kidney Transplant. I joined the committee in Dec 2021 as I am hoping I bring many skills to the role as a general member on the Committee. During the various lockdown and this pandemic, I have felt very lonely and socially isolated whilst trying to keep ourselves safe. I am excited to be able to bring my experiences and knowledge to the Harefield Transplant Committee to help many other patients and families who have felt lonely or continue to feel lonely.

Ana Browne – Committee Member

I had my double lung transplant 3 years ago due to having Cystic Fibrosis.
I have recently joined the Harefield Transplant Club committee at the AGM in 2023 because I want to raise awareness of this group to others who may benefit from being in this strong transplant community like I have. I’ve been a member with the HTC since 2021 and I wish I’d become a member sooner, especially that first year after my transplant when I found everything rather scary and needed to speak with others who had gone through the same as me. Hopefully I will see you around in clinic, come and speak to me if you see me.