A brave double lung transplant patient from Sutton Coldfield is planning to cut her hair in order to raise money for the hospital that saved her

In 2016, 29 year old Kayleigh Murphy’s life was drastically changed. After experiencing a severe health decline she was rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham to receive a double lung transplant.

At just 16 months of age, Kayleigh was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. People with cystic fibrosis experience a build-up of thick sticky mucus in the lungs, digestive system and other organs, causing a wide range of challenging symptoms affecting the entire body. Kayleigh said: “I have spent most of my life in and out of hospital. My lung function and general health really started to decline in 2015, breathing became harder than normal, I needed an oxygen tank to walk and I was extremely underweight.”

Despite her illness Kayleigh didn’t allow it to impact on her life up until 14 February 2016 when she received ‘the call’ for a double lung transplant. Thankfully, the operation was a huge success and with the help from physiotherapists at the hospital, saw Kayleigh walking again in just seven days!
Kayleigh said: “I owe everything to the fantastic transplant team at QEHB and of course my donor and their amazing family. So to say thank you and in memory of my donor it’s time for me to donate something. I will be having my hair cut off at the end of December 2019… how much comes off will be dependent on how much I raise!”

Since her transplant Kayleigh has been given a new lease of life, she spends most of her time with her two rescue pony's when she's not at work . And has just secured an opportunity to work with primates; she is now working towards her dream career of becoming a zoo keeper. None of this would have been possible without the life saving transplant.

All funds raised will go directly to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity to benefit the heart and lung transplant unit and their patients.

To help support Kayleigh, please visit her fundraising page here, or to read more about QEHB Charity, simply visit hospitalcharity.org