Thursday, September 13, 2007



If you read this post here you will know who I am talking about. Robyn was a beautiful, petite blonde smiley young lady. Incredibly clever she was working on her Masters whilst battling her CF and waiting for her transplant with a positive and cheerful smile on her face. We were working together on a relationships study for people with CF in the hope that we could produce some sort of help booklet at some point. We chatted via msn and via text, rarely by phone as she didn’t really have enough puff – it’s funny how someone you never see in person can become such a good friend.

When Robyn spoke at National Transplant Week this year you could have heard a pin drop. When she got so breathless someone had to take over, the impact was clear. She volunteered to talk to the media for us to try to get the issue of transplantation an even greater profile. She was on GMTV for Transplants in Mind and was their poster girl for this year’s campaign (click and click).

On Tuesday afternoon Robyn lost her fight to CF. I’m just terribly terribly sad; for her, for her family, for her lovely boyfriend. She waited over two years, she remained positive, but that call never came. For me it’s an even greater reminder of why we continue to campaign and also why I am walking on Sunday in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. She never let CF dictate her life and will be greatly missed by an awful lot of people. Thinking of her family and friends at this sad time.

10 comments:

Rose said...

A really lovely post, Em. It's so sad about Robyn. She will be missed very much.

The Life of a Paed Heart Transplant Recipient said...

Sending my condolences to Robyn's family. Am totally crushed.

Bev x

Lorraine said...

Very very sad to hear about Robyn. She was a lovely, kind and considerate young woman who deserved a life. R.I.P. lovely Robyn. xx

Anonymous said...

So so sad when I heard about Robyn, just wanted to send my condolences to her family and all those who loved her...
I have just got my organ donor card, I hope she knows somehow.
xxx A.

Anonymous said...

I was so so sorry to hear this yesterday. My heart goes out to her boyfriend and family.

Jac said...

A lovely tribute to Robyn, who was a real fighter. Hope you are ok Em - thinking of you xx

Anonymous said...

I'm so so sorry to hear this, Em. I would love to have met Robyn as she sounded like such a wonderful person. My thoughts are with her family and friends.
Love always xxx

Anonymous said...

i am speechless. oh no. what a terrible loss.

my condolences to Robyn's family and friends.

Anonymous said...

Sory about the loss of yet another cose friend of yours...
Sending prayers and thoughts to her family friends and may she rest in peace.......
Life sadly can be soo cruel at times have seen her blog etc and seemed to have made such an impact on many people and sure she won't be forgotten.My heart goes out especially to her immediate family. Words cannot express their loss im sure.......

(((hugz))) 2 all of you thinking of you ..... Elaine & Rach & family xx

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear about Robyn - I had seen her in the press as well as on your site; she seemed like a young woman who was so full of life, energy and vibrancy even when she was very unwell. I really admire anyone like Robyn and yourself, Emily, who look beyond their own illness and suffering to do something positive to help others. Although Robyn tragically didn't get her transplant in time, I am sure there are others who will because someone somewhere heard her speak and decided to get a donor card.

It is just so sad that Robyn never got her call.

My thoughts and prayers are with Robyn, her family, you, and everyone who has been affected by her death.

Rest in peace Robyn

Emily H