Double lung transplant recipient relishes ‘second chance at life’

An NHS worker who had a double lung transplant five years ago has celebrated her new lease of life by going on to win 10 medals at the British Transplant Games.

During the last four years, Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital clerical worker Catherine Makin has secured gold, silver and bronze medals in swimming and table tennis.

The 42-year-old, from Great Harwood in Lancashire, received her new lungs at Manchester’s Wythenshawe Hospital in 2020 after suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension – high blood pressure in the lungs.

“Competing in the games is an amazing weekend of fun and meeting friends,” she said. “But it is also about remembering our donors – without them, we wouldn’t be here.”

Ms Makin said she was “very nervous and scared” before the transplant surgery in January 2020 because “it is a major operation and [puts] stress on the body”.

After spending five weeks in hospital she had to isolate for nearly two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Despite the additional challenges posed by this, though, Ms Makin was overjoyed by the results of the transplant.

“I could breathe normally again and do things like walking and swimming without having to stop every five minutes or so,” she explained.

Because of the high risk of infection, she said she was unable to return to her former role as a nursery nurse.

Instead, she began volunteering for the hospital trust, which in turn led to her job in Blackburn.

“After my transplant I haven’t been told not to do anything,” Ms Makin said. “Just basically get on with life and enjoy it.”

Because she had always enjoyed swimming and playing table tennis, she decided to enter the Transplant Games.

Running for more than 40 years, the games take place in different host cities every summer.

About 1,000 transplant athletes compete over four days in a wide range of events.

The Transplant Games are also designed to raise awareness of the need for organ donation and to encourage transplant recipients to lead active lifestyles.

Recipients are also encouraged to show appreciation for – and remember – organ donors and their families.

“The games themselves are an incredible celebration of life,” Ms Makin said.

“To win medals is amazing and it makes me feel so proud that I can participate.

“As always, my donor and family are never far from my mind, and I am grateful to them for letting me have a second chance at life.

“Every time I compete, I’m reminded of how grateful I am to be here.”