A MARYPORT man has encouraged people to sign up to the organ donation register, telling of the 'second chance' at life his donor gave him.

This Organ Donation Week (September 23-29) NHS Blood and Transplant is celebrating the fact that the NHS Organ Donor Register has been helping to save lives for 30 years through the gift of organ donation.

John Mossom, from Maryport, has told of the 'second chance' at life that organ donation has provided him - with the thrillseeker even being able to do a tandem skydive, fly a plane and abseil down a 450m tower following the receipt of his new heart.

John was diagnosed with heart failure as a direct result of the intensive chemotherapy treatments he received for cancer as a child in the 1980s. As well as this he had lost the sight in his left eye, his thyroid was damaged, he was left with low bone density, and is growth hormone dependant.

He experienced severe symptoms including extreme fatigue and water retention. His heart had enlarged to the size of a football, and he was in critical condition. "My heart wasn't working properly, and I felt very strange, lacking energy," he said.

John underwent a heart transplant at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle in 1994. The surgery was a success, with John being moved out of intensive care just 16 hours post-operation.

Before his transplant, John faced significant health challenges, including difficulty performing everyday activities and maintaining his energy levels.

However, post-transplant, his life changed dramatically. Speaking about life after the transplant, he said: "After the transplant, I returned to a normal life, going to school, and now I work at Tesco."

Over the years, John has been diligent about his health, taking immunosuppressants, steroids, and other necessary medications to ensure his well-being. Despite occasional health issues, such as migraines, John has managed to lead a fulfilling life, and he has been working for Tesco for the past 16 years.

"Receiving a heart transplant gave me a second chance at life. I celebrate my 'second birthday' every year and try to do something special to mark the occasion", he said.

John is somewhat of an adrenaline junkie, having done a tandem skydive, driven a supercar at 204mph, flown a plane, abseiled down a 450 metre tower, and is very fond of driving, especially supercars on track days.

Encouraging others to donate their organs, John said: "You don't need your organs after you pass on. Donating them can give someone else the gift of life.

"It's a little thing that makes a huge difference."