Double lung transplant patient will ride to honour donor

A cystic fibrosis patient who had a life-saving double lung transplant at the Royal Papworth Hospital is planning a charity cycle ride in memory of her donor.

Pippa Kent, 29, underwent the transplant at Papworth two years ago after spending months in hospital at Royal Brompton, unable to walk more than a few steps or breathe without an oxygen mask.

She plans to cycle between the two hospitals that kept her alive on the third anniversary of her transplant in April next year. The ride is about 70 miles which Pippa anticipates will be a tough challenge.

She said: “I wanted to set myself a task that would take a lot of training. I haven’t been on a bike for years due to my illness but since my transplant I have been able to contemplate starting to exercise.

“I am so grateful to my donor and to his family who made the difficult choice to donate at a very hard time for them. Their selfless act means I have had this new chance at life and I know that without my donor, I would not be alive today.”

Pippa will raisie money for charities connected with the two hospitals. To help her, Cambridge business Townsends Light Blue Cycle Centre will lend her a bike.

To donate, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lungaversaryride.