Transplant patient Walks for Hearts to raise much-needed funds
11th Feb 2026
-Donaghadee woman takes step by step recovery to raise funds during BHF’s Heart Month-
A County Down woman who has recently undergone a heart transplant says she is committed to succeeding in a walking challenge after being given the ‘amazing gift of life’.
Valerie McIlveen from Donaghadee is on a mission for Heart Month in February to complete British Heart Foundation’s ‘Walk for Hearts’ challenge.
The 66-year-old golfer and former Ladies Captain of Donaghadee Golf Club is walking a mile a day during February to raise much-needed funds for BHF’s research into cardiovascular disease.
Valerie lived with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) for 20 years after being diagnosed at age 46. DCM is a disease of your heart muscle where your heart chambers become enlarged and your heart’s muscle wall becomes thinner and weaker.
Valerie said: “I was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy in 2006 and because of my deteriorating condition, I was assessed in the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle Upon Tyne in September 2025.
“After being accepted onto the Urgent Heart Transplant List I was admitted to the Pre-Transplant Unit at the Freeman Hospital. Just four weeks after admission, I was in the fortunate position to receive an offer of a donor heart last November.”
Just over three months since Valerie’s transplant surgery, she is now growing in strength each day and walking has helped with her recovery. Valerie has already raised over £1,400 to help fund research into cardiovascular disease.
Valerie said: “I’m feeling fit enough to take up the BHF challenge to walk one mile per day in the month of February. I’m so thankful to everyone who is supporting me in my recovery.
“The journey to regaining full recovery will be long, but each month brings increased quality of life.
“I would also like to highlight the huge nationwide need for organ donation. During my time spent in the Pre Transplant Unit, I met and became friends with other patients who have been waiting years for a heart transplant.
“I would therefore like to encourage everyone to seriously consider becoming organ donors and having the necessary conversation with their loved ones.”
Valerie added: “I am so grateful for the amazing gift of life offered to me by the donor’s family.”
Fearghal McKinney, Head of BHF Northern Ireland, said: “Valerie’s strength and resilience throughout the last number of months is really inspirational.
“We’re so thankful for her fundraising support of BHF’s Walk for Hearts challenge during Heart Month and for raising vital awareness of the urgency of cardiovascular disease and the need for organ donors.
“If you are one of the 230,000 people in Northern Ireland living with cardiovascular disease and you are able to exercise, walking could be especially helpful, as it is low impact and you can build up slowly at a pace that’s suitable for you. Valerie was checked by medical professionals and deemed well enough for this challenge and it’s important to speak with your own doctor for personalised advice.”
Fearghal added: “Every three minutes, someone in the UK dies from cardiovascular disease. Through our incredible supporters like Valerie, British Heart Foundation can power research that will enable people to live longer, healthier lives.”
To support Valerie, go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/valerie-mcilveen-1#sharePage
Participants can sign up for ‘Walk for Hearts’ until February 14th. To find out more, visit www.bhf.org.uk/walkforhearts
