Had world's rarest lung disease
A double-lung transplantee with no prior sailing experience is to cross the Atlantic this spring as part of the Clipper Round the World Race.
Justine Laymond was diagnosed with the world’s rarest lung disease, lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), which caused her to suffer 15 lung collapses, three weeks in a coma and two months on a life-support machine.
But she will leave the UK on June 1 to join the Edinburgh Inspiring Capital yacht in New York, before sailing the race’s final 4,000 miles to its UK finish, via Nova Scotia, Northern Ireland and the Netherlands.
Upon her return she will compete in the British Transplant Games in javelin, shot put, discus and badminton. She has previously won medals in British, European and World Transplant Games and has also competed in a half-marathon since her transplant in 2006.
She is hoping her exploits in the Clipper race will raise awareness of organ donation.