$35,000 given for transplant

Press, 3 September 1986, Page 29

$35,000 given for transplant

PA Wellington The heart transplant candidate, Mrs Jan Dodd, said yesterday she was "over the moon” with happiness. Her day began with the presentation of cheques totalling $35,600 towards the $50,000 needed for life-saving surgery in Sydney. An hour later, Mrs Dodd received news that a $lO,OOO Social Welfare grant has been approved. The cheque presentation at Mrs Dodd’s Wellington Hospital bedside was made by the manager of the Thorndon Tavern, Mr Brian Foster, who led a group of Wellington hotels which gve $25,600 — the profit from poker

machines. An anonymous gift of $lO,OOO, made through Mr Foster, added to the total.

Mrs Dodd, aged 28, said it appeared a date for admission to St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, would be within the next few weeks.

A total of about $54,000, including the Social Welfare grant, has been given since her plight was made public in the “Dominion” newspaper less than two weeks ago.

The final cost of the surgery will depend on how long Mrs Dodd and her husband have to spend in Australia, and the exchange rate at the time of payment.