It’s a terrible disease which leaves people struggling for breath, dependent on oxygen and often virtual prisoners in their own homes.

When Huddersfield PCSO Debbie Kirrane was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in November 2021 she realised there was no support group in the town.

The 63-year-old discovered that a childhood friend, Geraldine McCallum, also had the disease and together they formed Huddersfield Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group which has now grown to more than 20 members.

Some are in their 40s and have been newly diagnosed, others need wheelchairs or mobility scooters and one member is waiting for a lung transplant.

Deborah and Geraldine had grown up on the same Almondbury street but not seen each other for the best part of 40 years until the illness brought them back together.

Pulmonary fibrosis basically means scarring on the lungs and this can be caused by a whole range of lung-related conditions but it’s not Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) which happens when the lungs become damaged and inflamed and is often caused by smoking.

Debbie (below, right), who still lives in Almondbury, and Geraldine (left), of Golcar, set up the group in October 2022 but tragedy struck within a year.

 

 

Debbie said: “I was away on holiday in August 2023 but spoke to Geraldine who was ill in hospital at the time but assured me she was OK. Within hours her condition suddenly deteriorated and nurses called her husband John back in but Geraldine passed away a short time later.

“We were absolutely devastated to lose her as Geraldine was a force to be reckoned with and sadly missed.

“It’s a horrible, cruel and terribly debilitating disease yet most people don’t know much about it.  Pulmonary fibrosis is a very isolating condition as people need oxygen all the time and several of our members are in wheelchairs. We have lost three members this year.”

Debbie, who is married to Mark and the couple have nine grand-daughters, needs to take oxygen wherever she goes and is now working in an office role for the union Unison.

“My first symptoms were breathlessness,” she said. “The condition did get worse but has now stabilised yet I can’t do the job I used to do anymore working as a PCSO in Huddersfield town centre.

“The worst bit for me is a chronic cough day and night and I’m hyper sensitive to the environment.”

Debbie gets some great help running Huddersfield Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group. Geraldine’s sister, Margaret Ogden, is involved along with Geraldine’s friend, Jacquie DeMello who is the treasurer.

Others include Debbie’s sister, Andrea Allen, who runs a craft meeting every month and Debbie’s friend Elizabeth Mason who organises social events. They hope to set up a theatre trip soon.

The group now meets on the first Thursday of every month at Moldgreen United Reformed Church on Old Wakefield Road, Moldgreen, from 12.30pm to about 2pm and often features speakers.

The one on Thursday, August 1 will be from the national charity Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis and they will talk about the latest research into the disease.

Debbie added: “We are a friendly group and welcome sufferers, carers, friends and family and we all support each other.”

For more on Huddersfield Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group go to https://www.actionpf.org/support-groups/huddersfield-pulmonary-fibrosis-support-group

To contact the group email Debbie at pulmonaryfibrosishudds@outlook.com or phone her on 07568 433747.

Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases, blogging, website content and copywriting.