Remembering Margaret: taking on the four peaks challenge in memory of my wife
Our amazing supporter, Gerard, sadly lost his wife Margaret to bronchiectasis in October 2023. This year he took on a special challenge to remember her and raise awareness of this condition. Here he tells us all about the challenge and what it meant to him.
People don’t understand what a lung condition can take away from you - Elina’s story
Elina was only 26 when she was diagnosed with emphysema, a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). On World COPD Day, here she shares her story to help raise awareness and encourage people to seek advice if they have symptoms.
Fundraising for Asthma + Lung UK gave me a surprising realisation
Earlier this year. Grace , who is part of our Research + Innovation team, challenged herself to walk 100 miles in March to raise money for Asthma + Lung UK. After signing up, she had the surprising realisation that she was one of the one in five people in the UK who will be diagnosed with a lung condition in their lifetime. Here she tells us about her staggering diagnosis of tuberculosis and her fundraising journey.
Cycling for Asthma + Lung UK changed my life
Our supporter, Clarrie, took on a cycling challenge for Asthma + Lung UK. Here she tells why she took part in the challenge and how much of a difference it’s made to her wellbeing.
You make my dad’s life easier - why I run for Asthma + Lung UK
Our supporter Lesley ran for Team Breathe in the London Landmarks Half Marathon this year. Here she tells us about her journey to running half marathons and why supporting Asthma + Lung UK is so important to her and her family.
Why I ran the Great North Run for Asthma + Lung UK
Our supporter, Ricky ran the Great North Run for us this year in memory of his close friend Stevie. Here he tells us why it was so important for him and how he’s helping fight for everyone’s right to breathe.
Rebecca’s Story – why I took on the Hula Hoop challenge
Our supporter, Rebecca took part in our Hula Hoop Challenge this year. She hula hooped for 15 minutes every day for 30 days in May. She raised over £200 to support our vital work fighting for lung health. Here she tells us how the memory of dad, Nick inspired her to take on the challenge, and how it helped improve her fitness.
How running the London Marathon helped me manage my grief - and why I’m doing it again
Laura Gilmore, a 37-year-old Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) from Prestwick near Glasgow, will be tackling the iconic TSC London Marathon for Asthma + Lung UK Scotland for the second time. She tells us how running helped managed her grief after losing her dad to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, and why she’s fundraising in his memory.
Genetic targeted therapy for lung cancer transformed my mother's life
In June 2020, Philomeena’s mum, Rita, was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer and she wondered how much time she had left. Now, in 2022, Philomeena shares the story of how she has cared for her beloved mother remotely, and how Rita is beating lung cancer.
My battle for a COPD diagnosis – and what helped change my life
Speaking on World COPD Day, Katy Brown, 65, from Bristol, reveals how she struggled to get a COPD diagnosis during the pandemic, the challenges she faced and what has helped her through.
Pneumonia almost left my young sons without their mum
After being struck down suddenly by pneumonia at 33 on her son’s third birthday, our supporter, Jardine ended up on life support. Here she tells us why she’s raising awareness this World Pneumonia Day, and why it’s so important.
Ask a researcher: How a simple blood test could be used to diagnose pulmonary fibrosis
Andy, aged 37, was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) in 2013. He is currently waiting for a lung transplant. Here he asks our researcher, Simon a few questions about his research into PF and how it could make a difference to others with the condition.
Stress caused my father to have a fatal asthma attack at 54. I was scared the same thing would happen to me.
Anita has first-hand experience of the impact stress can have on asthma, as her dad collapsed and died from a stress-induced asthma attack when she was a teenager. Anita, 49, who has asthma herself, changed her life to stop history repeating itself.
No one should have to put their life on hold - why it’s critical we find out why asthma is worse for women
Living with a long-term lung condition can affect many aspects of your life. You’ll have physical symptoms, like getting out of breath and feeling tired. Lung conditions can also affect your mood, how you feel, and your ability to cope with daily life.
This World Mental Health Day, we’ve pulled together some tips to help you to look after your mental health right now.
How Asthma + Lung UK’s support groups have made me feel less alone
Mum of two, Rebecca Grandison’s son Wilf’s has severe asthma, which controls every aspect of his life. She says it’s hard for other parents to understand the challenges their family face. Here she tells us how connecting with other parents in our support group has been really helpful for her.
Lisa, a Welsh scientist asks: Why is asthma worse for women?
Lisa Hall, 40, from Newport in Wales, was diagnosed with asthma shortly after giving birth to her son. She believes the hormonal changes following pregnancy and birth were responsible for her getting asthma and is campaigning for more research into this.
Hormones made it impossible for me to control my severe asthma
Poppy, 30, from Stratford-Upon-Avon, spent every month fearing she would end up in hospital as her hormones had such a terrible effect on her asthma. Here she shares her story.
Asthma didn’t stop me fulfilling my dream of climbing to Everest base camp
Paul has asthma and often struggles with symptoms when the seasons change. Here he talks about how he began cycling to help control his breathing and ended up climbing to Everest base camp!
Remembering Nigel
Our supporter Becky Wood shared this moving poem that her dad Nigel wrote just days before he passed away from IPF in 2021.
Bronchiectasis didn’t stop me becoming a cycling coach
Dave struggled to play football when he was a child – now he cycles 100 miles a week. In this blog, he tells us his story about how he found exercise that works for his lung condition.