Transplant doctor's new lungs are up to the job

Published on Tuesday 12 May 2009 10:41

A DOCTOR who was given a new lease of life following a life-saving double lung transplant has put them to the test with a ten-mile hike to raise £10,000 for an organ donor charity.

Jacqueline Didsbury, from Bathgate, suffers from cystic fibrosis, but she said her new lungs stood up well to the challenge, proving that her transplant last April has been a major success.

The doctor still has CF and requires daily medication, but her lungs no longer behave like CF lungs after the transplant, which has remarkably improved her quality of life from being in a wheelchair to enduring walks and a more normal existence.

Dr Didsbury, who specialises in psychiatry, organised a team of more than 160 walkers who braved torrential rain to complete the coastal walk from Elie to Leven in Fife on Saturday to raise cash for the Live Life Then Give Life charity.

'Team Jac' has so far raised a whopping total of 10,366 with more to come.

"Despite a few aches and pains after the walk I'm feeling fine and it's huge relief for me," said the 29-year-old doctor, who is also back working part-time in the psychiatry department at Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow.

"People had concerns about whether I would be able to finish it, but it was a fantastic day."

To donate to campaign visit www.justgiving.com/teamjac