A bright red bench overlooking the River Mersey in Otterspool Park serves as an unusual living memorial to Dr Sanjana Kochar, a 32-year-old GP who survived heart failure thanks to a life-saving heart transplant. The bench, part of the British Heart Foundation's (BHF) 65th anniversary campaign, features a plaque that reads: "In living memory of Sanjana Kochhar. 1993 - present."
From Diagnosis to Transplant
Dr Kochar, who trained at the University of Liverpool, was first diagnosed with heart failure at age 21 after experiencing breathlessness and palpitations. Cardiologists at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, along with specialists in London, conducted numerous tests. In 2014, she had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) fitted to protect against cardiac arrest.
Her heart function declined from 35% to 12% by October 2022, when she was admitted to Freeman Hospital with multiple organ failure and placed on the urgent heart transplant list. Just one month later, she received a donated heart and underwent transplant surgery in November 2022. She was discharged from hospital on Christmas Eve. It is now believed her heart failure was caused by cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle.
New Lease on Life
The transplant gave Dr Kochar a new lease on life. She has since achieved milestones like hiking, which had been impossible for years. In November 2023, on the anniversary of her transplant, she became engaged to her partner, Paul. They married a year later, and Sanjana danced at their wedding—something she thought she might never live to do.
Dr Kochar said: "This bench is such a special reminder that I am alive today after surviving heart failure and receiving a life-saving heart transplant. So often, benches are a tribute after someone has passed, but this BHF living memorial is so meaningful because it gives me the chance to reflect on my journey, including the dark days in hospital waiting for an urgent transplant, while also celebrating how far I have come in the three years since - and the fact that I now have a future to look forward to."
BHF's 65th Anniversary Campaign
Dr Kochar is one of dozens of people sharing their stories as part of a new national campaign by the British Heart Foundation. To mark 65 years of funding lifesaving research, the charity is unveiling 65 red benches across the UK in tribute to those living with cardiovascular disease, including heart transplant recipients.
Her bench, placed in Otterspool Park, overlooks the River Mersey. The plaque also states: "Celebrated her recovery by dancing the night away at her wedding. All thanks to the help of scientific research. But our work is not done. Donate now to keep us beating."
Personal Connection to Liverpool
Dr Kochar expressed deep connection to Otterspool Park: "I have spent over 15 years growing up and living in Liverpool. I went to university here, work nearby as a GP, and feel deeply connected to the community. So much of my life has unfolded in this city. Before my transplant, even walking through this park could leave me breathless, and I often struggled just to get from one end to the other. Now, after my transplant, I can walk the same paths with ease."
She added: "Having my bench here is deeply meaningful. It’s a symbol of hope, resilience, and the gift of life I’ve been given. Every time I visit, I’m reminded of how far I’ve come and how precious every moment is."
Raising Awareness
Dr Kochar hopes the bench will spark conversations about heart disease and organ donation. "I hope this bench sparks conversations about heart disease and the importance of organ donation, helping to raise awareness about heart disease in young people as an often-overlooked group. It serves as a symbol of resilience, showing that even in the darkest times, there is the possibility of a brighter future."
She concluded: "I hope that others who sit here, whether they are patients, families, or friends, feel the same sense of community, connection, and support that I have found through the BHF. More than anything, I hope it reminds people to cherish every day, celebrate life, and find strength and courage even in challenging times."
