Amanda Chalmers was born with cystic fibrosis (CF) and needed oxygen 24/7 while studying for her Materials Practice BA(Hons) degree.
Less than two years after her surgery, Amanda is running in this year's 映客直播 Marathon on 6 April.
Amanda, 26 and living in 映客直播, said: "I initially signed up for the marathon in 2011 after seeing my friends complete it. I had just come out of hospital and for the first time needed to use oxygen therapy at home, but I was determined that by the following year, I would get myself back on track and healthy enough to run the marathon.
"That didn't happen as I became completely reliant on oxygen 24/7 and my health deteriorated. By May 2012, I was on the list for a life-saving double-lung transplant and in September that year I was lucky enough to receive one.
"After the surgery I knew I no longer had an excuse not to run the marathon."
Amanda is taking part in aid of the . She said: "To complete the marathon will be a huge achievement and I'm really looking forward to it.
"Going from hardly being able to walk up my stairs to being able to run – and a bit of walking – in a marathon is something I'm so glad to have the chance to do. To cross the finish line is going to be incredible, but I still wouldn't say I'm that fit."
She said basic CF care to maintain life and keep as healthy as possible was improving but added: "I hope people never get to the point of ill health that I did. Many people with CF are not as lucky as me and never get to have a second chance."
Amanda, who won gold for archery in the British Transplant Games, is dedicating her run to the Trust: "Thanks to the Trust putting money into care and gene therapy research, a major trial of new drugs is now underway. This work is only possible through the generosity and support of very kind people, so when it came to picking a charity to run for it was an easy choice."
Amanda is running the marathon with friends from the university including Ed Bending, a graduate and now the university's Environmental Communications Officer. He said: "Amanda's life-saving operation and her amazing recovery are just fantastic and we are all so proud of the resilience she has shown and the 'can-do attitude' that has led her to this point. We all feel very privileged to be able to be part of this challenge alongside someone as brilliantly inspirational as Amanda."
Amanda, who makes jewellery and recently launched her own business as a designer-maker, thanked her medical staff and the donor: "I am only here due to the incredible generosity of my donor and their family, and am proof that organ donation truly changes lives. I also want to thank my amazing family and friends for all the support they have given me over the years, and to those who have signed up to run with me."
Jennifer Westmoreland, Head of the CF Trust's Community and Fundraising Events, said: "Amanda is a brilliant example of what people with cystic fibrosis can achieve when they are given the opportunity. I'm sure her story will inspire others waiting for organ transplants.
"On behalf of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust I would like to thank Amanda for her fundraising efforts because without people like her we would be unable to invest in cutting-edge research to develop better treatments and, ultimately find a cure for this life-shortening disease."
Amanda's marathon team includes University of 映客直播 graduates Yasin Dean and Andy Hehir, Hannah Jones who us starting a nursing course at the university in September, and two other friends Amy Baigent and Sarah Walker.
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