Page 53 - Urban Kapital DECEMBER DIGITAL ISSUE

THE MICHELLE HEMMINGS STORY
REAL PEOPLE

18 months ago, 5 surgeons and 35 support //18 MONTHS
staff at the Royal Papworth Hospital in Bir-
mingham, performed a record breaking 5 AGO, 5 SURGEONS

organ transplants in just 36 hours.
AND 35 SUPPORT
Two men and three women, aged between STAFF AT THE
27 to 67, received between them, 2 hearts,
2 sets of lungs and one single lung trans- ROYAL PAPWORTH
plant.
HOSPITAL,
One of the recipients was 47 year old
Michelle Hemmings from Birmingham. PERFORMED

Michelle has now dedicated her life to A RECORD
raising awareness about the importance of
organ donation, and she is particularly keen BREAKING 5 ORGAN
to encourage more people from Black and TRANSPLANTS IN
Multi-Ethnic communities to consider organ
donation in the UK. JUST 36 HOURS.

Michelle says:
“I was placed on the transplant list because
I had been unwell for around 22 years after
being diagnosed with lung fibrosis, which is
a lung disease that occurs when lung tissue
becomes damaged and scarred. This thick-
ened, stiff tissue makes it more difficult for
your lungs to work properly. As the con-
dition worsens, a person will become pro-
gressively more short of breath. I had my
transplant in February 2018.”

Despite the operation being so recent. Mi-
chelle entered the ‘Transplant Games’ this
year to raise awareness. Michelle tells us
how the transplant has made a massive dif-
ference to her life.

“The transplant has changed my life, before
the operation it could take me more than 20
minutes just to climb a flight of stairs, so
I can hardly believe that I have been able
to take part in the transplant games so
soon after my transplant operation, it feels
great”.

Michelle’s event involved walking 1.8 miles
and her main goal was simply to finish it.
CONTINUED OVERLEAF...

MAGAZINE // 52 Image: Michelle Hemmings MAGAZINE // 53