Feedback & Other News

I wanted to be able to thank everyone for their kind messages after my appearance on the BBC 1 Breakfast News, which was repeated throughout the morning. It's quite bizarre really, as the day of the filming - the crew were at mine for about 1hour 30minutes, and about 10 seconds was used for the news clip..hahaha..thats showbiz for you!

I am quite used to that, after editing is done and so on, and, over the last 4 years of Media work - that was probably my shortage footage. However, the whole piece put together by the BBC was fantastic and my little debut, still made a poignant fact, that without my transplant I would have died!

Also, as I have a Facebook account - that meant people I network with globally - were also able to see me (some maybe for the first time). The comments were lovely and pleasing, and even though I was only on for seconds, it still hit home and has encouraged more people to become donors.

If anyone wishes to see the clip - I have put it under Media Articles 2009. I think my next media blitz will probably come about Transplant week (in the UK), the next UK Transplant Games, and also for my first ever marathon!!!!!!!!

I am going into year 3, of being alive from my new lungs, and I have decided that each extra year I get - to set a new goal! The last 2 years have been the Transplant Games and last year also the European Heart & Lung Transplant Games. Even though, I do sprinting events at the games, I am not a runner..not even or ever enjoyed running. But, It's hard to explain....urm...I feel that I NEED to do things with my life, to make my donor and those who knew him proud of me. Also, that I am NOT wasting my extension on life with his lungs or even taking my life for granted. I appreciate every extra day, as I don't know when it will cease. Therefore, by setting myself goals or challenges - I am being pro-active and doing worthwhile things in my life. This will also set about another fundraising scheme to assist either LAM again (raised for LAM in 2008) or Harefield Hospital whereby I recieved my transplant. Details for that will follow later in the year.

So...the marathon you must be asking...when..what????? It's the Bupa Great South Run, Sunday 25th October, in Portsmouth. It is 10 miles, and to be honest, I am not sure that I will be able to run this distance as my training is going very slow, and a bit of a set back by having a gap of 6 weeks (ill before Christmas/recovery..then over indulgement in yummy foods Xmas and New Year/then laziness). But....I have resumed and all that I had achieved, I have now lost..so I need to work even harder to build up my fitness levels again. My training is as - interval training (walk/run..walk/then..then over time increase duration of running). At present, I am able to run about 2.5 minutes/walk 2.5 minutes for a total of 20 minutes (on a good day). It is frustrating, as I do get breathless doing this, as it is putting a different type of exertion on the lungs as opposed to a quick sprint.

However, I will NOT give up! And I intend to keep going as best as I can. Even if, on the day of the run..I walk most of it and run bits here and there, it will still be a HUGE achievement for me.

If anybody would like to join me, that will be fantastic! I have already had 2 people come forward - who I have never met, but know of me/exchanged some messages, and want to run with me (I have told them..to walk...hahaha).

Below is the link to click on and register your details:-

Bupa Great South Run

Please fill in the form asap, as I have no idea how quickly places will fill up???
Then do contact me if you have registered to take part, so we all can meet up and run together on the day. Thanks. x x

Hmmm..think I have written enough for now.

Cheerio 4 now