Life hangs on chance and the generosity of others

Laura came to us from the paediatric cystic fibrosis centre when she was 16 years old. She had severe lung disease and been placed on the transplant list in January 1997. She had just completed her GCSEs and had got top marks. She had just started her A levels and wanted to study theatre and drama at university. Her disease progressed; we put her on to overnight ventilation and permanent intravenous antibiotics.

Our patients listed for transplantation continued to die on the waiting list because of the shortage of donors. Laura's activities became more limited at school, and she needed help with mobility and portable oxygen. Characteristically, despite her limitations and against advice, she …