Joanne Miller’s dad, Graham, received a double lung transplant at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and after his incredible care, his daughter Jo is running to raise money for the hospital charity.

Graham was diagnosed with the rare lung disease alveolitis which is an inflammatory lung disorder caused by abnormal formations between air sacs meaning he needed a lung transplant.

On New Year’s Eve in 2007, Graham received the incredible news that there was two lungs waiting for him to have a double lung transplant at QEHB.

Talking about the lung transplant, his daughter Jo said: “The journey is not easy and the reason why I want to raise money is not only to say thank you but to try and put some money towards the transplant department.

“Since dad’s transplant he has been able to make magical memories. He walked my sister down the aisle at her wedding in 2013 and is watching his granddaughters grow up.

“We are so enormously grateful to the hospital for giving him back to us."

Picture: Jo and her dad, Graham

Jo’s aim was to run 44 miles during the month of her 44th birthday to raise money for the hospital charity. She took to the local park and her gym to clock up the miles and has so far raised an incredible £658 for the transplant unit.

After the lung transplant, Graham has had other health problems including having a heart attack resulting in having stents put in and receiving a valve replacement. He is now also battling with skin cancer and optical bleeding but he is so happy to have been given this extra time to spend with his family and make memories.

Ellie Pocock, Fundraising Assistant for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity, said: “Jo’s reason for fundraising is so lovely and we’re so glad that thanks to the hospital she was able to spend more time with her dad and he was able to make such amazing memories.

“All of the money Jo has raised will go towards the transplant unit where Graham would’ve received his double lung transplant. It will go towards funding added extras that go ‘over and above’ what the NHS can provide.”

You can still support Jo in her fundraising challenge by donating to her JustGiving page here. 

To find out more about transplants at the hospital, please click here.

Picture: Graham and his daughter Helen on her wedding day

Top picture: Graham and his granddaughter Tallulah 

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