Mike's New Lungs

4 years ago I had a double lung transplant – now I’m running in the 2012 London Marathon.

Post Transplant - Day 3 Post Transplant - Day 10

Let’s rewind just a little…On 23rd September 2007, I underwent a 7.5 hour operation to have a double lung transplant, prior to that I was bed-bound and on a ventilator 24/7. I’d been in The Royal Brompton Hospital for seven months and had been in a wheelchair for half a year beforehand.

Because of the unfortunate death of a younger male whose amazing decision it was to opt-in to the UK Organ Donor register, I’m here today living the life I never thought I’d be able to lead. I don’t know anything about my donor but I’ll always have incredible gratitude and amazing respect for him and his family – he’s the reason I’m here today.

To celebrate all of this, I thought I’d set myself a challenge. A challenge that will really test my strength, agility and focus. I applied to the CF Trust to see if they would allow me the honour to run the London Marathon for them – they agreed…

Here’s my journey...

News

News (Default)

8th May 2012Target Smashed!

Well it’s been 3 weeks now since the London Marathon and I’m back to normal. My fundraising events have now drawn to a close but that hasn’t stopped the goodwill from many people as donations are still coming in to my page. In a previous post I mentioned that I was auctioning a signed Jenson Button F1 racing suite, which fetched an amazing £1,001; thank you to Andrew Mason for his amazing bid.

I’d also like to thank all the students at Kegs school in Chelmsford. They recently held a charity week where they put on fashion shows, games and other events. They raised an incredible £4,500 and wanted to split that total across three charities. Rosie Patterson for suggesting the CF Trust. Instead of donating the money straight to the trust, they wanted to send it via my Marathon event, in recognition of one of my very good friends who unfortunately passed away because of CF.

My fundraising page (http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/mikesnewlungs) closes in a few weeks and with whispers of a handful of outstanding donations still to come, I’m very keen to see what the final total will be.

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Runs

2012 London Marathon map

Marathon Map

The Virgin London Marathon is one of the great British sporting events, combining elite athletics, mass participation and record-breaking fundraising in one race. The course is a gruelling 26 miles 385 yards long, passing through the streets of London from Blackheath to the famous finish line at The Mall.

Partners

NHSBT Cystic Fibrosis Trust

Find out more about my partners by clicking the links above