Courageous Kirsty marks her 30th birthday

Former Lenzie Academy pupil Kirsty Geddes was born with cystic fibrosis, a condition that chokes the body’s organs with thick mucus.

Doctors told her parents the outlook was bleak but brave Kirsty battled the condition until things took a turn for the worse in 2009 when a number of lung collapses left her open to fatal infection.

Four years ago she received a life-saving double lung transplant, before graduating top of her college course.

Last year doctors gave Kirsty the news that she had been dreading - that she was suffering from chronic rejection of the lungs.

Kirsty said: “It hit me like a ton of bricks but, touch wood, I’ve not developed symptoms yet. It doesn’t have to be the end and it was a kick in the bum for me to live my life.”

True to her word, she’s been living life to the full while volunteering for charity Live Life Then Give Life, who raise awareness of organ donation.

At the weekend Kirsty celebrated her 30th birthday with family and friends in Edinburgh after returning from three months travelling around Europe with boyfriend Dougie and their dog Dexter.

She also recently took a trip to Las Vegas for a close friend’s 30th birthday.

In a few weeks Kirsty will jet off to Sydney to see a childhood friend for Christmas.

She said: “I’ve been able to travel thanks to my uncle and aunt who paid for my insurance - which is very pricey.

“My transplantavesary is on November 11, so I turn 30 on Saturday then on Monday I will be having a day with my family to celebrate and remember the life of my donor and their family.

“Without them none of this would have been possible. I wake every day and thank my donor for allowing me to live such a wonderful life.”

To find out more about charity Live Life then Give Life just go to www.lltgl.org.uk, where you can also sign up to the organ donor register.