Humanity and Humility

Book excerpt: In Humanity & Humility, internationally acclaimed surgeon, scientist and teacher Marc de Leval recounts with unflinching honesty and wry humour a career dedicated to saving the lives of children born with defective hearts. Marc's forthright account encompasses medical history, heroes, progress, success, failure and the remarkable resilience of the thousands of young patients who came under his care. It is a surprising and inspiring story. For more than 10 years, Marc was a Vice-President and Trustee on the Board of Chain of Hope, a charity working around the world to provide life-saving heart operations in countries where these children would otherwise not survive. To continue his support, £6 from all proceeds of the sale of his biography will go towards a fund to provide care for patients with heart disease as they go on to adolescence and adulthood. If you would like to make a further contribution please visit https: //cafdonate.cafonline.org/14407. "I used to swim at the same time as Marc every morning at the Royal Automobile Club. For years we just said "hello" and nothing else. One day we started talking and got to know each other. When I found out what he did as a job, what he'd done over the years and how many children's hearts he'd repaired or replaced it was probably one of the most special and humbling moments of my life. His story is truly remarkable." Sir Paul Smith. "Marc de Leval was an exceptional heart surgeon for children. I am so fortunate to have worked with him for 30 years. His incredible legacy is that so many of his patients are long term survivors. Infants and children on whom he operated and enabled to reach adult life to lead near normal lives. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to alter medical destiny and many of those with complicated hearts have serious medical problems which need continuing expert care, guidance, and even further surgery. In most of the countries less developed than our own, where the Chain of Hope has helped the "heart children" over the last two decades, there is no medical service created for this ever-increasing group of patients. Through buying Marc's book and by adding your own generous gifts to Chain of Hope we can bring the care needed by these long term survivors and continue giving them a future." Professor Jane Somerville.