In 2003 our father, Jayesh, was in desperate need for a lung transplant due to some complications with his breathing. After two failed attempts of finding a suitable lung donor, the perfect lung was found on 21st August 2003, allowing for Papworth Hospital to carry out a successful lung transplant. 

However, Jayesh’s fight with his health continued. Unfortunately, cancer was found in the removed lung, which normally would have ruled him out for a transplant as there was a risk of it spreading to other parts of his body. They monitored his other remaining lung for a year and found out that this one had cancer in it too, leading to a removal of his other native lung. Jayesh was left in a unique situation with only one transplanted lung gifted to him in 2003. 

For most lung transplant patients (where they retain one of their original lungs alongside the transplanted one), the life expectancy rate is only 50% within the first 5 years of having the transplant. However, our Dad managed to survive just under 19 years on this single donated lung whilst on immunosuppressants. He also had a few close battles in between, including a lung rejection in 2011 where he came very close to passing away. Papworth Hospital were there for him throughout his journey and cared for him during the most difficult times. 

Sadly, after contracting COVID-19 in July 2021, it was the end of his journey. He fought for 4 weeks in hospital where he was on oxygen and a ventilator showing a lot of resilience throughout. Although we are deeply saddened by this loss, we are aware  that our Dad was gifted 19 years which is an incredibly long lifespan for someone with his condition. He lived life to the fullest and never let his condition hold him back always having an active, care free, approach to life.

We now want to give back to Papworth Hospital for saving our Dad’s life on numerous occasions and want to give them the support that they need, so that they can provide the same care for other families.