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Transplant mum says 'thanks' to hospital
A LEYLAND mum who underwent transplant surgery is returning to the scene of her life saving operation for a special celebration.
Angela Kelly, 42, of East Street, Leyland, had a heart and lung transplant in July 2000, after suffering from primary pulmonary hypertension, a lung condition which shuts down all main blood vessels, veins and arteries.
Before the dual transplant, Angela's condition had deteriorated to the point where she could no longer walk and needed oxygen 24 hours a day.
Specialists believed that without the operation she would have only had two years to live.
But after a lengthy recovery from surgery, Angela is now fit enough to live an ordinary life once again, holding down two jobs at St Anne's Primary School Breakfast Club and Lanes Decor on East Street, both in Leyland.
On Saturday, Angela and her partner Martin Anderton will return to Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire where she underwent the surgery, to celebrate the hospital's 25th anniversary.
Angela, who is mother to Ryan, 16, said: "It's lovely to be able to go back to Papworth to thank all the staff at the hospital who were so vital in helping me to overcome my condition.
"Working at the hospital is more than just a job for them, it's like a vocation, so I'm looking forward to being able to join them in celebrating their success.
"It has been great for me to be able to get back to work and to a normal life after recovering from my operation.
"My mum knows of somebody who is on the waiting list for a similar operation to mine, so it's nice to be able to let them know that it's not all doom and gloom and that there is light at the end of the tunnel."
Angela wanted to pay tribute to people who donate their organs and the families who support that decision.
She added: "Without people like that I wouldn't be here, so I have to be thankful to them, and I hope that more people will consider offering their organs for donation so they know that even when they're gone, they can still be helping to save somebody's life."
For more information on organ donation, contact the Organ Donor Line on 0845 60 60 400, or visit their web site at www.uktransplant.org.uk
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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