Stephanie – double lung recipient

Stephanie had been living with idiopathic primary pulmonary hypertension (IPAH), causing high blood pressure in arteries in her lungs and heart, before receiving a lifesaving double lung transplant. 

In 2017, she passed out from an uncontrollable coughing fit, and was placed on the waiting list for a lung transplant for three weeks before a donor was found.  

Sadly, Stephanie’s brother had died from the same condition, and in 2017 Stephanie lost a friend while he was waiting on the transplant list for a heart. 

Her medication and shortness of breath meant that she struggled day-to-day, unable to do everyday activities like walking or swimming, and she had to cut down on work. 

She said she would walk a few metres before she had to stop for breath and fight off the overwhelming sensation that she would faint. 

When Stephanie was rushed to hospital coughing blood, she feared the worst. However, thanks to an organ donor and the donor’s family, Stephanie was given a new chance at life.  

Since receiving the double lung transplant, Stephanie has been ticking things off her to-do list, including trips to the beach and swimming in the water, which she had not been able to do before her transplant.  

“I have been blessed to have been given a second chance at life and I have my donor, their family, and of course DonateLife to thank for that. I will forever be grateful.”