Three years ago, cystic fibrosis sufferer Emily Hoyle was barely clinging to life, her only hope of survival an urgent lungs transplant. Yet this month, the 30 year old London-based Pilates teacher is preparing for a record breaking 6000m ascent up Cotopaxi in Ecuador, the highest live volcano in the world.

^{Emma with her fiance, now husband, John after her lungs transplant}

One in five people die waiting for a replacement heart or lungs, but Emily was one of the lucky ones. In August 2012, just weeks from death and at the end of a debilitating 18-month stay in hospital she got the lungs transplant that would not only save, but transform her once restricted life.

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic, progressive condition affecting more than 9,000 people in Britain, in which the lungs and digestive system become clogged with thick, sticky mucus. Commonly diagnosed in childhood, its symptoms include persistent cough and recurring chest and lung infections. For many sufferers whose lungs become badly damaged by recurrent infection, the only option is a lungs transplant.

“I was diagnosed with CF at three months old and have taken medication to prevent infection all my life,” recalls Emily. The illness has caused some life threatening crises – the last of which was in May 2011 when she was hospitalised after swine flu and a fungal infection both travelled to her lungs. “It was touch and go whether to plan my wedding [she was engaged to 30 year old ex-soldier John Hoyle, now her husband] or a funeral.”

Emily managed to cling to life and in June 2012, still in hospital, she was put on the transplant list. Six weeks later a pair of lungs became available and she was transferred to the renowned Harefield Hospital in London where the six hour transplant took place. The result she says has been little short of miraculous. “I used to feel particularly bad in the mornings with all the mucus building up in my lungs. Now I bound out of bed to walk my dog”

Emily and husband John are now thinking of starting a family and she has devoted her energies since her life-saving operation into leading the best life she can. “You owe it to your donor. Mine was an 18-year-old boy who didn’t have the chance to experience much of life.”

^{The group on their introductory climb in Scotland last March}

This Friday she and 12 other lung and transplant recipients with a range of medical conditions, will travel to Ecuador to make their historic ascent of Cotopaxi – the highest ever climb to be attempted by heart and lung transplant survivors. Having been in training since January, they will be accompanied by two doctors and a support crew, carrying oxygen as well as normal equipment. The 17-day Andes trek, which will include acclimatization and rest days, is not a mere hike but proper mountaineering, using crampons and ropes, says expedition organizer Andre Simon, Director of Transplant at Harefield. “We want to show the the world what a fantastic life you can lead after a heart or lung transplant.”

The team are hoping to raise funds for a new type of technology for transporting donor organs that extend the transplantation window from the existing three hours to twelve.

“To anyone thinking of becoming a donor I would say – just do it,” says Emily. “People are afraid of talking about death but you can leave a legacy of hope and spare another family huge grief.

“I am living proof of the enormous difference it makes and I feel a debt of gratitude every day to the brave family of my donor.”

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