Duncan resident Ted Harris got a wake-up call about how precious life is when he underwent a double lung transplant in September of 2024.
He was called to Vancouver the month before to take part in the final testing, which took 14 days. After that he waited only two weeks for a match.
“This was very miraculous for me otherwise I would not be here today,” said Harris. “I’m very grateful to my donor, and my donor’s family. A transplant is something that saves lives, but is also a product of someone losing their life, so it’s a catch 22.”
After going in for a routine X-ray for his shoulder in 2015, severe scarring was discovered in the one lung included in the X-ray. Harris was then referred to a specialist at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) where he was informed that a lung biopsy would need to be done to confirm that it was a work related injury, as he had been doing utilities construction where he was exposed to several different things such as silica dust, asbestos, chlorine gas, and even live sewage.
It was then confirmed that he would need to undergo a double lung transplant. The news sent Harris into shock as he admits to having always been healthy, both physically and mentally strong, plus to undergo that type of transplant in 2016 was not as common as it was today. Now in Vancouver alone 50 to 70 double lung transplants are performed each year. Harris was assured by his respirologist that everything would go well.
“At that time I wasn’t sure of the severity or the survival rate of the operation,” said Harris. “It’s a pretty big deal.”
Harris was in great hands as his surgeon Dr. John Yee has done more than 1,000 double lung transplants throughout his medical career. Yee works on the 12th floor of VGH and has raised a lot of money for the foundation over the years. Harris is grateful for all the staff on that floor, whom he calls absolutely phenomenal.
“Dr. Yee is my hero,” said Harris. “I walked a tightrope of 30 per cent lung function for eight years. In June of 2024 things really started going downhill for me when I needed to use a oxygen 24/7. Just before my transplant I had an oxygen maker at home that could not keep up with my oxygen needs. I had a 50-foot hose on me for around the house which a family member, including our dog Astro would step or trip on.”
Harris calls Astro his best friend. He got him during the start of COVID in Agassiz, but his lungs would not allow him to take Astro for walks until last December.
“Now I take him out every day,” said Harris. “I love it, this is my dream come true.”
Harris hopes to help make another’s dream come true as he is also a registered organ donor. He has also chosen to share his story in support of VGH and the UBC Hospital Foundation as well as the VGH+ Millionaire Lottery which has been in operation since 1996.
“I buy the lottery tickets to give back but also to win because they have a lot of great prizes,” said Harris.
Since its inception the VGH+ Millionaire Lottery has raised almost $100 million and supports VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. It runs until Jan. 9. Tickets are two for $110, five for $200, 10 for $350, and 25 for $600 and can be purchased at millionairelottery.com.
All funds raised support research, equipment, and programs that advance transplantation and complex care. They also fund many other areas for the hospitals that include specialized adult services and research at several health services centres including UBC and VGH hospital. Last year’s lottery funded $2 million-plus in OR equipment and more than $7.8 million for health care in B.C.
Harris feels like he won the lottery, which is why he wanted to give back. This past summer Harris held a golf tournament fundraiser at the Cowichan Golf Club along with Norm Jackson where seven transplant recipients on the island attended. With his sights set on giving back to VGH foundation he surpassed his goal of $10,000 raising $14,000 which he says felt both satisfying, and rewarding.
“When you get a life saving operation like this saying thank you isn’t always enough,”said Harris. “For the fundraiser I got everyone to stand up to share a bit of their story, so there was a lot of emotions, both happy and sad tears.”
Harris has a picture of all seven recipients together and before the photo was taken he said, “There are actually 14 people in the photo, as we all had to have a donor.”
Harris spent thee months in the hospital post transplant to ensure everything was going well and that the lungs were taking and that his body was accepting them. He feels fortunate to live in Canada as he learned that his same surgery would run around $980,000 in the U.S.
“I remember looking at the four drain tubes in me and the 60 staple incision across my chest and I thought this is too much, I can’t do this,” said Harris. “The mental health part of a transplant is a huge. There’s always that possibility that you are not going to make it, nothing is guaranteed in life.
“What’s important to me in both post transplant and in life is to have compassion for people who are struggling — don’t turn a blind eye — and just enjoy life because it’s short.”