AN Alloa woman has taken part in a television documentary to show what life is like holding out for a double-lung transplant.

Lisa Hertwig (24) has been on the waiting list for two years.

Her lungs are failing due to the condition cystic fibrosis (CF), which she was diagnosed with at only five-and-a-half months.

She hopes to get people talking about organ donation by appearing in the second episode of Transplant Tales – a two-part series by Matchlight – which will be shown on BBC One Scotland on Monday (6 July) from 9-10pm.

She said: “I thought it sounded like a great opportunity to help raise awareness of the shortage of organ donors, also possibly make my transplant come quicker as it may get more people in Scotland talking about organ donation. It also allows people in my life to see exactly what I have to go through.

“I discuss what it’s like to wait on an organ and what it would mean to me. I also show a lot of my daily routine and how difficult it is along with medication and treatment I take.

“It also shows how my mum is now my carer and has to look after me, including doing housework that I can no longer manage. I also discuss my funeral plans and talk through what I have packed in my transplant case that I may use if I ever get the call that a donor has become available.” Lisa faces a daily struggle to keep her CF – which impacts on the lungs and can lead to serious chest infections and difficulty in breathing amongst other things – in check.

She was added to the transplant waiting list in June 2013.

Since then things have become even tougher, but she tries to make the best of it.

Lisa explained: “Life has got more difficult. Now when I have chest infections I need people to wash and dress me and make my food. I am more tired and have to try pace myself even though I often burn the candle at both ends, trying new things most days and grabbing life with both hands.

“I now appreciate what life has to offer more than I ever did before. From seeing birds in a tree, to seeing an older man and woman hold hands, or eating my favourite foods. Once you know your life is approaching the end things become more enlightened and worthy.” The former Abercromby Primary and Lornshill Academy pupil wants people to tune into Transplant Tales to learn about organ donation.

She said: “I think people should watch to understand that people are dying waiting on organs and that it is very difficult physically, and especially mentally, waiting on a call.

“Also that it could one day be yourself that is waiting on an organ – you never know. Most people would receive an organ if needing one, but be reluctant to donate.” She thinks it is crucial to talk about organ donation – and believes people should tell their families if they would like to be a donor one day.

Lisa added: “I think it’s so important because people like myself are dying everyday waiting on organs, because not enough people are donating.

“Not enough people are informing their loved ones of their wishes. All it takes is a small chat to say if that opportunity had to arise then I would want my organs to help save people’s lives. Everyone is going to die but not everyone is willing to discuss it.”