I am 23 years old and was born with Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis is the UKs most common, life-threatening inherited disease. It affects mainly the lungs and the digestive system, with thick sticky mucus causing repeated chest infections which progressively damage the lungs. The average life expectancy of 31 and there is currently no cure.
Due to the severity of my lung damage, in March 2005 I was assessed for a double lung transplant. I was told that without one I had a year left to live. Maybe two if I was lucky.
As time went on life became increasingly more difficult, and I was attached to an oxygen machine 24 hours a day and used a wheelchair to get around. On 4th January, just as time was running out, I received that call I had been so desperately hoping and waiting for and after a complex and difficult beginning, I was discharged in March to begin my new life with the ability to breathe.
Last year I was pushed round the course in my wheelchair, managing to walk the last 500m. This year, I want to walk it all, with no tubes, no oxygen, no chair and best of all, able to breathe freely. I will be joined by my fabulous angels, who are:
Ali Alcock, Sarah Assen, Marie-Claire Assen, Diane Baker, Liz Barford, Deborah Barnaville, Lorraine Barnes, Laura Batchelor, Sonja Blumer, Louise Boniface, Katie Borland, Anna Boothroyde, Carolyn Bray, Eve Buxton, Shirley Buxton, Sheena Camplin, Inga Cheale, Sarah Coffey, Lizzie Cutler, Emily DeGalwey, Alison Dickson, Paula Elwood, Chloe Ferrier, Jackie Fuller, Sheree Gibbs, Shadow Gilboa-Way, Judy Gilham, Beth Gilham, Sue Goldman, Rachel Grant, Nicky Hardwick, Lynn Halliday, Emma Harris, Emma Hickey, Sarah Hobbs, Emma Hoole, Susanna Jacobsen, Keri Jenkins, Fi Keyzor, Laura Mahoney, Sarah Milne, Hope Milne, Ellie Milne, Charlie Mullarkey, Michelle Mullarkey, Viv Mullarkey, Jill Nightall, May O'Connell, Leanne Olivier, Tineka O'Mara, Julie Pearson, Sue Pearson, Tracey Quincey, Jayne Richardson, Sarah Richmond, Jane Roberts, Jess Rogers, Julia Self, Nicola Shaw, Kat Taylor, Anne Thackray, Abby Thackray, Lucy Thackray, Katie Thackray, Alice Thompson, Celia Thompson, Maggie Torrance, Hayley Walker, Claire Ward, Gill Waterton, Felicity Waterton, Rosie Waterton, Claire Willes, Margaret Willes, Philippa Willes, Hannah Witherow, Asuman Yenilmez.
I was incredibly lucky to receive my transplant as 50% people in my situation die waiting due to the dire shortage of donors. Without this transplant I would have sadly joined the many young people whose lives are taken by CF.
With your help, children born today with CF will not face this uncertainty. We can keep improving treatments and facilities for people with CF and ultimately find a cure.
Thank you for visiting our fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor us online.
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Cystic Fibrosis Trust will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.
Many thanks for your support.
Emily and her Angels
For more information on Emily please click here or to visit her website click here
For more information on CF visit www.cftrust.org.uk
