A WOMAN from York whose heart and lungs were replaced in a life-saving transplant operation has celebrated the 30th anniversary of her surgery with a reunion with the doctor who transformed her life.

Carol Town, 63, had hoped the operation at Papworth Hospital, Cambridgeshire, would give her four extra years of life, which "felt like a long time".

Living life to the full 30 years later is something she did not think was possible, and has allowed her to have her son Joss and watch him grow up, build a career and enjoy new sports such as horse-riding.

Carol met her surgeon, Professor John Wallwork, now chairman of Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, at a celebratory reception in Cambridge.

"The transplant gave me so much," she said. "It completely transformed my life and allowed me to do things I never thought possible, like see my son grow up and have a rewarding career.

"I'll probably never know who it was who donated their heart and lungs to me but I am so grateful to them for giving me a second chance at life."

Prof Wallwork said: "It is wonderful to see Carol celebrating the 30th anniversary of her heart-lung transplant at Papworth Hospital. Carol's operation took place just a few years after I performed the first successful heart-lung transplant in Europe."

Carol was diagnosed with the rare condition Eisenmenger's syndrome, which leads to irreversible lung damage, at the age of five. She spent her childhood in and out of hospital, suffering extreme breathlessness, heart failure and later asthma.

Her health continued to deteriorate and she was told that her only hope for survival would be the development of a technique for heart-lung transplantation.

After the transplant she quickly learned to run, swim, cycle and ride horses for the first time.

Despite further episodes of ill health, she went on to have a son, Joss, through a surrogate, and built a career in counselling.

Carol is now fundraising for Papworth Hospital Charity. Visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Carol-Town.