Your stories

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Our supporter, Clarrie, took part in our annual cycling event, Pump Up Your Lungs. here she tells why she took part in the challenge and how much of a difference it’s made to her wellbeing.

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!

Our supporter Becky Wood shared this moving poem that her dad Nigel wrote just days before he passed away from IPF in 2021.

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.

Paul Wilson, 47, from Beith near Glasgow spent decades having severe asthma attacks. Now he’s running marathons thanks to the advice and support he received from his asthma nurses. Here he tells his story.

We want to share with you some of our April highlights. From a fantastic day cheering at London Landmarks Half Marathon, to incredible clean air campaigning, read this blog to find out some of our spotlight moments from this month.

Lung conditions have been treated in many ways over the centuries. Some old-fashioned treatments have laid the foundations for the modern treatments we use today (such as the nebuliser pictured), while others have done more harm than good. This blog is going to delve into the past and explore some of these old-fashioned treatments. Please do bear in mind that some of the treatments explored in this article are not recommended for use today.

Mark, 28, lives with COPD. In 2021, he ran the Royal Parks Half Marathon for the first time. In this blog, he shares how he found exercise that works for him, why he decided to fundraise, and how you can too.

It’s been almost a month since we launched as A+LUK, and we want to share with you some of the highlights! From great feedback about our support groups giving you the help you need, to another clean air campaigning win, read more about the great news from the past month.

Katy noticed her COPD symptoms three years ago. She’s been shocked by the lack of information offered to people needing a diagnosis. Here, she tells her story.

Rakhee had her life turned upside down by Long COVID. Eventually, through pulmonary rehabilitation, her condition has started to improve. Here, she tells her story.

When Jo’s asthma became severe and uncontrolled, it began to dominate her life and wellbeing. After starting to use biologics, she has noticed a huge improvement. Here, she tells her story.

Diven was shocked when he discovered he was diagnosed with interstitial lung disease. Through exercise, he’s learning how to live well with his lung condition. Here, he shares his story.

Ro, aged 74, completed a sponsored head shave and fundraised for Asthma + Lung UK. She told us why she chose this challenge and the difference it has made for her.

Laura’s daughter Erin had her first asthma attack at six months old. In this blog, she tells Erin’s story. She also talks about the fantastic fundraising which she has done for Asthma + Lung UK by taking part in the London Classics, where she’s raised over £10,000!

After experiencing devastating loss, losing his wife, mother, and brother to mesothelioma, 76-year-old Ray started fundraising for Asthma + Lung UK. Here, he tells us his story about how doing a challenge has helped him to cope with his loss, and how he’s fundraised over £13,300 in aid of mesothelioma support and research.

Dana, 67, from Shropshire was so shocked and moved when he heard that a little boy in his town had died from an asthma attack that he was inspired to start fundraising for us – 11 years later, he’s one of our star supporters’ having raised over £40,000.