Transplant recipient Angela celebrates 25-year landmark

A Lancashire mum has celebrated a notable landmark - the 25th anniversary of a lifesaving heart and lung transplant.

- by Tony Durkin

It makes her one of the longest survivors of the complex procedure, which she underwent at just 38 years old - and in this National Transplant Week is encouraging as many people as possible to join the national donor register.

"You just never know when it will be needed and it can save someone's life or several people's lives," said Angela, now 63, from Leyland,.

"I was never ill until I was diagnosed with the problem which necessitated the transplant and I am so grateful. It has given me so many years of life."

Angela, who still works part-time, had always been fit and healthy until June 1999, when she suddenly started suffering from a shortness of breath.

After a visit to the doctors she was diagnosed with primary pulmonary hypertension-a lung condition which shuts down all main blood vessels, veins and arteries.

Her condition had deteriorated and she struggled to walk across the room.

She said:

"I was one of 270 people in the UK to have this condition.