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When Tia Thomas suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in 2019, it was a devastating shock. Fit, active, and a keen sports player, she had no idea her life was about to change. 

Diagnosed with Danon’s Disease, a rare genetic condition that causes progressive heart failure, Tia’s health deteriorated rapidly, especially during her pregnancy in 2021. Tia’s little boy was just six-months-old when she was told she had end-of-life heart failure and was placed on the urgent transplant list. 

Tia spent over five months living at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB), separated from her young son and family. She tried to stay positive and strong mentally, as well as staying physically fit by walking up and down the hospital corridors.

She said: “My favourite walk was to the top floor to watch the sunrise or the sunset. I would listen to music the whole way and dream of getting home to my family.”

Despite two donor offers that were sadly unsuitable and repeated stays in critical care, Tia remained hopeful but was becoming more and more sick.

One evening, she visited QEHB’s chapel, feeling she might not survive. “I turned off my mobile phone, which wasn’t allowed, and fell asleep. Within one hour, the nurse was waking me up as they had found a heart. I knew instantly it was the right one.” 

The transplant was a success. Tia returned home, made an incredible recovery, and went on to compete in the British Transplant Games and the 2025 World Transplant Games in Germany.

She said: “A special recognition must go to my donor and their family for the selfless act of giving me life. I will always be immensely grateful for this gift and do the most I can with the life I’ve been given. 

“I was only going to survive a few more months if I hadn’t received this gift of life.” Tia is now back at work, active with the Adult Birmingham Transplant Sports Team, and a passionate advocate for organ donation. She also supports QEHB’s new Edmonds Transplant Centre Birmingham, a new national centre of excellence at QEHB. She said: “The team at QE became like family. They gave me hope when I had none.” 

Organ donation in the West Midlands 

Over 700 people in our region are currently waiting for a life-saving transplant. Despite the opt-out system, families are consulted before donation proceeds. 

When a person’s wishes are unknown, families often choose not to donate, resulting in missed opportunities to save lives. Last year, more than 30 patients in the West Midlands died while waiting, and on average, one person dies each day waiting for an organ. 

Matt Metcalfe, Hospital Executive Director at QEHB, said: “Organ transplantation offers our patients new hope and aims to get patients back to doing what they love. This year we’ve been immensely proud of our clinicians’ vision to deliver Edmonds Transplant Centre Birmingham, with the generous support of QEHB Charity. 

“The centre enhances the experience for patients as they await a life-changing transplant. Signing the organ donor register is one of the most vital things we can do for the over 700 patients waiting in our region. 

“It leaves your family certain of your wishes and can save lives. Every conversation and every registration is a step closer to giving someone a second chance, like Tia.”

The facts about organ donation

• One donor can save or improve up to nine lives through organ donation. 
• Tissue donation (such as corneas, skin, bone, and tendons) can help many more. 
• The UK operates an opt-out system, but families are always consulted before donation. 
• Donation will not go ahead if your family objects and your wishes are unknown.
• Organs that can be donated include the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and small bowel. 
• Most adults in England are considered potential donors unless they’ve opted out. 
• Children under 18 are not part of the opt-out system and require parental consent. 
• Registering your decision and talking to your family increases the chance of donation going ahead. 

Register your organ donation decision here.