HE WILL probably never get to meet the relatives of the person who saved his life.
But thanks to an organ donor, Shaun Bird will live to see his little girl grow up.
Shaun, 52, is now on the road to recovery, having undergone a heart transplant in August.
Each day he lives and breathes is owed to one person who chose to become an organ donor before they passed away.
"My whole outlook on life has changed – I know I am lucky to be alive," said Shaun.
"I am on the recovery process now and I can see a light at the end of the tunnel.
"I wrote a letter to the donor's family, thanking them for what happened.
"It was the hardest thing I've had to do and took me a week to get right.
"I thought it was important to say thank you, but how do you say 'you have lost your nearest and dearest, but I am alive' in a letter?"
Shaun was invited to pen a letter to the donor's family, which the transplant service will pass on.
It said: "I can only imagine your grief and offer you condolences for your recent tragic loss. Words are difficult to put together to you in the situation of suffering that you are probably feeling at this time ...
"... Through your loved one's and your kindness, generosity and unselfish care for other human beings, you (and some fantastic surgical and medical staff) have undoubtedly saved my life and allowed me and my wife to see our eight-year-old daughter grow up.
"I can only promise you that I will do my very best to take care and look after the amazing gift you have allowed me to have ..."
Shaun lives in North Newbald with his wife Anne and daughter Eleanor.
Three years ago, Shaun and Eleanor, who was five at the time, were in a car accident.
Shaun had gone to overtake a parked car when the driver pulled out and turned right.
Although Shaun and Eleanor were relatively unscathed from the ordeal, the accident triggered a condition known as small vessel syndrome.
Shaun, who worked in the motor trade before being taken ill, said: "The syndrome means the vessels are blocking up, which reduces the function of the heart.
"Usually your heart performs at about 60 or 70 per cent, but mine was reduced to 20.
"The difference in me before the operation and afterwards was unbelievable.
"I had a really grey face and skin the day before the transplant, but afterwards my skin went pink again."
Shaun's operation took place at Papworth Hospital – one of just a handful of medical establishments able to perform heart transplants.
He was called to the hospital at 2.15am on August 23, last year, and was anaesthetised by 4.45am.
Hours later, the major operation was over.
He is now at home in East Yorkshire, recovering from the ordeal, but says it has taken a lot out of him.
Although there is no medical reason for it, some transplant patients say they take on different traits when they receive an organ, with some saying they take on personality quirks from the donor.
Shaun said: "I now really enjoy cooking, something I never did before.
"I've heard of similar things happening in lots of transplant cases."
Shaun now wants Mail readers to see his story and sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register.
He said: "When I was told I had small vessel syndrome, they gave me between three and five years to live.
"Being given a time limit on life was horrible, it was like a whack across the knuckles.
"But you can't give up and you have to keep going in hope.
"My recovery isn't as fast as I'd wish, but I do want to eventually return to work.
"Now I will see Eleanor grow up – that is the best gift of all."
To join the NHS Organ Donor Register, call 0300 1232323.
