Katie Mitchell, now 53, has become the UK's longest-surviving recipient of a heart and lung transplant, having undergone the procedure at the age of 15. She was diagnosed with Eisenmenger syndrome, a rare congenital disease, at age 11, which caused irreversible lung damage and heart failure.
Mitchell received her transplant at Royal Papworth Hospital in September 1987. Such combined transplants are rare, with only about five performed in the UK each year. She credits organ donation for giving her a normal life and expresses gratitude to her donor's family.
Reflecting on her milestone, Mitchell said: 'It's quite difficult to put into words how it feels to know I am now the longest-lived heart-lung recipient in the UK. It's mixed feelings. People I know who had the same transplant have passed away in front of me, but it's a blessing.' She also had two kidney transplants, in 1994 and 2015.
Mitchell, from Sidcup in south-east London, is married with a stepdaughter. She supports NHS Blood and Transplant's call for people to register as organ donors. Currently, 8,124 people are on the UK transplant waiting list, including 12 awaiting a heart and lung transplant.
Marius Berman, surgical lead for transplant at Royal Papworth Hospital, said: 'It's fantastic to see Katie continuing to live life to the full, 38 years on from her transplant. Her journey offers real hope to others currently waiting for transplants and reminds us all of the importance of organ donation.'
