Joe's drive on donors after lungs illness hell

A MAN whose lungs were “destroyed” by disease is celebrating his 10th extra Christmas since a lifesaving transplant.

- EXCLUSIVE BY MARTIN BAGOT Health Editor

Joe Russell, 47, was born with a severe form of cystic fibrosis and as a child was not expected to survive to be a teenager.

He said: “My incredible medical team did everything they could for me but, ultimately, the disease destroyed my lungs.

“When I reached my mid-30s, machines were keeping me alive.

“Without a transplant, I would not be here.”