Clare - double-lung recipient, VIC

Born with progressive genetic disease Cystic Fibrosis, Clare’s lungs deteriorated when she was in her early 20s.  

She spent a lot of time in hospital and struggled to breathe, suffering from chest infections, digestive problems, and diabetes. Clare regularly underwent intensive physiotherapy and breathing exercises to shift the build-up of mucus in her lungs. She was on a constant stream of IV and oral antibiotics and pain medications. 

Clare's condition was so serious that her lung function decreased to only 24%. 

When she hit her 30s, specialists told Clare that she would need a lung transplant. She was living in a 2-storey townhouse and was now struggling to climb the stairs. Every morning, she would set herself up downstairs, and only make the gruelling trip back upstairs when it was time to go to bed. ‘I was ready to be listed,’ said Clare. 

All her doctors could do was keep her stable while she waited for a transplant. The wait was nerve-wracking. After 2 false starts, the 3rd and final call came 6 months later. Clare didn’t fully believe that the transplant was going to happen until she was in surgery. 

Following her transplant, Clare's lung function rocketed up to 90%. ’One of the first things I remember was laughing without coughing,’ she said. ‘That was pretty amazing.’ 

Speaking about her life post-transplant, Clare says, ‘I can do anything. I can chase my nieces and nephews. I can be out all day. I can exercise. I can go away on holidays. Life is normal.’ 

Clare will be forever grateful to her donor and their family who said yes to donation. ‘It’s a very selfless act, to become a donor, and for the family to decide to go ahead with the donation. I can’t imagine what they would have gone through. I’m also very thankful because I definitely wouldn’t be here, were it not for a donor.’